By Dugout Philippines
MANILA--Defending champion Saint Clare College of Caloocan opened its quest for a rare four-peat by handing Technological University of the Philippines a 102-66 beating as the 19th season of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU) opened at the Cuneta Astrodome Thursday.
Philippine Christian University and Our Lady of Fatima University also registered positive starts to their respective campaigns by blasting their rivals.
The Saints showed the form that earned them the last three NAASCU trophies as they scored the last nine points to take the first period, 25-12.
The lead eventually grew to its highest, 100-63, as the Saint Clare bench did not relent and kept pouring it on the hapless Gray Hawks.
Big man Mohamed Pare had no match from the opposition as he frolicked inside for 19 points and 15 rebounds.
Fellow starter Rojay Santos keyed the initial breakaway with 12 points on three triples while reserves Nathaniel Lopez and Jan Dominic Formento hit double figures with 14 and 11 respectively during the fourth period mopping up operations.
PCU leaned on the 40-point explosion of guard Mark Edison Ordonez to frustrate New Era University, 100-92.
Ordonez scattered majority of his points in the third period as they overturned their 40-41 halftime deficit and turned it into a 20-point cushion in the opening minutes of the fourth, 74-54.
Ordonez completed his smashing season debut with six assists and two steals as he continued to put in the key baskets to stymie the Hunters’ fourth period rally.
Ranzel Casajeros sank five triples en route to 25 points while Kenneth Sumalacay followed with 13 points, seven rebounds and four steals and Jexter Tolentino with 12 points and seven rebounds.
In the main game, Our Lady of Fatima University led from start to finish over City University of Pasay, 100-74.
Former Junior Phoenix standout Nikko Panganiban made a rousing debut into the seniors division with 25 points and 11 rebounds while drawing help from Rommel Diosa with 13 and Cas de Vera with 10.
The simple opening rites featured speeches from Pasay City Mayor Imelda Rubiano-Calixto, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Chairman Steve Hontiveros and Secretary General Agus Mauro of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association. Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem of Saint Clare declared the tournament open.
Box Scores:
First Game
SAINT CLARE (102) – Pare 19, Lopez 14, Santos 12, Formento 11, Tiquia 8, Fontanilla 7, Jimenez 6, Victoriano 5, Penaredondo 5, Bautista 4, Manacho 4, Fuentes 2, Pablo 2, Tabajen 2, Decano 1.
TUP (66) – Reyes 15, Garcia 12, Felomino 7, Abejuela 6, Bringas 6, Vitug 6, Martinez 4, Nebre 3, delos Santos 2, Bayani 2, Afuang 2, Castaneda 1, Magbanua 0, Umali 0, Agcaoili 0, de Andres 0, Mangalindan 0.
Quarterscores: 25-12, 45-29, 62-46, 102-66.
Second Game
PCU (100) – Ordonez 40, Casajeros 25, Sumalacay 13, Tolentino 12, Eusebio 6, Okoronkwo 4, Quinto 0, Ramos 0, Garcia 0, David 0.
NEW ERA (92) – Comia 22, Estrella 20, dela Cruz 15, Quinga 11, Akindele 8, Reyes 6, Bercebal 3, Udjan 3, Gonzalo 2, Marticio 2, Bringas 0, Gabriel 0, Sabalza 0, Castillo 0.
Quarterscores: 20-20, 40-41, 71-54, 100-92.
Third Game
FATIMA (100) – Panganiban 25, Diosa 13, de Vera 10, Essomba 9, Alarcon 8, Compas 8, Japzon 6, Pastrana 6, Alejandro 4, Lumbera 4, Romero 3, Dalupang 2, Suria 2, Bargola 0, Abila 0, Frias 0.
CUP (74) – Olegario 23, Galit 15, R Chua 11, K. Villagomez 6, Chio 5, D. Chua 5, Vale 3, Aragon 2, Taroy 2, dela Cruz 2, Celestino 0, Sobrete 0, Pinuela 0, C Villagomez 0, Catarbas 0.
Quarterscores: 22-10, 43-23, 74-54, 100-74.
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