NAASCU: Saints turn back Titans

Games today (JCSGO Gym)

9 a.m. – RTU vs DOMC

10:30 a.m. – NEU vs MLQU

12 noon – EC vs EARIST

MANILA, Philippines - Aristotle Dionisio took charge in the early going and St. Clare got past AMA University, 82-67, in basketball as the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities unveiled its 16th season yesterday at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

The 6-foot-4 Dionisio scattered 12 of his game-high 19 points in the first half which the Saints dominated to set the tone for the rout.

St. Clare president and NAASCU chief Ernest Jay Adalem led the opening ceremonies where he exhorted students from all 14 member schools to strive for excellence and support their respective alma mater.

“We are here not only in pursuit of academic excellence but also in pursuit of sporting excellence, we believe in the talents of the young students waiting to be harnessed into world-class levels,” said Adalem.

Aside from basketball, nine other sports are on tap in this year’s NAASCU calendar.

But the title chase in the centerpiece event is tipped to go down-to-the-wire with the absence of three-time defending champion Centro Escolar.