Centro, RTU in big start

Defending champions Centro Escolar University and Rizal Technological University opened their title-retention bids on a high note at the start of the 46th WNCAA over the weekend.

Four-time senior basketball champion CEU turned back host Philippine Women’s University, 53-30, last Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

CEU’s Cristine Caranto led all scorers with 14 points, Mary Ann Dologue added 11 and three-time Most Valuable Player Janine Pontejos chipped in eight points.

Mary Rose Labrador delivered eight points for PWU.

Also winning their initial assignments on Sunday at the St. Scholastica’s College gym were San Beda College Alabang against St. Scho, 67-35; RTU over University of Asia & the Pacific, 86-28; and Miriam College against Assumption, 53-41.

In juniors basketball, De La Salle Zobel stunned defending champion La Salle College Antipolo, 59-44, with Jeeuel Rhocel Bartolo topscoring with 14 points.

RTU, stopped PWU, 25-22, 25-17, 25-17, on Friday at the SSC gym, and St. Scholastica, 25-10, 25-14, 25-16, last Sunday at RMC.

CEU matched defending champion RTU’s 2-0 card with victories over SBCA, 22-25, 25-16, 30-28, 21-25, 15-12, and Miriam, 21-25, 25-9, 25-16, 25-8, for 1-1 slates.

PWU bounced back with a win over Assumption, 25-14, 25-22, 28-26, and so did SBCA as it bested UA&P, 25-2, 25-13, 2520.

Defending junior champion Miriam also prevailed, 25-12, 25-16, 25-10, against St. Stephen’s High School, while St. Paul College Pasig likewise kicked off its back-toback title bid in the midgets division with a 25-14, 25-19 triumph over St. Scholastica.

Scores:

53 – Caranto 14, Dologue 11, Pontejos 8, Lawan 8, Lacson 7, Solis 5, Mamaril 0, Ventura 0, Galco 0.

30 – Labrador 8, Aure 6, De Jesus 6, Camba 4, Medora 4, Sanchez 2, Petilla 0, Montilla 0.

Quarters: 18-6, 33-10, 49-24, 5330

CEU

PWU