NAASCU: St. Clare, Enderun unscathed

St. Clare College-Caloocan and Enderun College hacked out a pair of tough victories to keep their unbeaten run and stay on top in the 16th NAASCU men’s basketball tournament at the Makati Coliseum. The Saints held off the Rizal Technological University Blue Thunder, 9082, while Titans repulsed the Lyceum of Subic Bay side, 88-83, in a duel of unbeaten teams to stretch their streaks to five.

St. Clare, which lost to absentee Centro Escolar University in last year’s finale, banked on Rafhael Rebugio, Aris Dionisio and Mark Puspus to foil the upset-conscious Blue Thunder.

The 5-9 Rebugio led the way with 18 points while slotman Dionisio added 16 points and Puspus, a 6-3 forward, dished out a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Caloocan City- based Saints of NAASCU chairman Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalen and coach Jinino Manansala.

Dionisio, Puspus and Junie Hallare also provided the defensive muscle for the Saints, who outrebounded the Blue Thunder, 61-37. The three also combined for 10 blocks.

“Defense was the big difference in our first five victories. The boys are really focusing on our defensive game and we hope this will carry us all the way back to the finals,” said Manansala, who also credited the all- out support of the St. Clare community and Fruitas Juice Drinks for the team’s strong showing.

The win also set up St. Clare against Enderun in a duel of undefeated teams at the EC gym in Global City today.

Kerr Bangeles fired 20 points for the Thunder while Cyrus Tabi added 16 markers, Storm Riva chipped in 13 points and Jhondell Flores tossed in 11 markers.