St. Clare vents ire on New Era

MANILA, Philippines – St. Clare College-Caloocan vented its frustrations on New Era University, posting a vengeful 93-58 victory in the 16th NAASCU men’s basketball tournament at the Makati Coliseum.

Beaten in their last three outings, the Saints rode on the strong games of Steve Fongue and Rojay Santos to dominate the Hunters and register their eighth win in 11 outings.

Fongue finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds while Santos added 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting on the three-point area to power the Caloocan City-based Saints of NAASCU chairman Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem and coach Jinino Manansala.

Michael de Leon and June Hallare added 12 and 10 points, respectively.

John Akindele and Mark Cabacungan paced the Hunters with 23 points between them.

Overshadowed by St.Clare’s  triumph was Our Lady of Fatima University, which edged Enderun College, 80-78, in the battle of heavyweights.

Jerome Juanico, Emil Japzon, Miguel Cabrera and Joseph Marquez  combined for 58 points as the Phoenix improved to 9-3 in a tie with the Titans.

Juanico and Japzon scored 15 points each while Cabrera and Marquez contributed 14 points apiece for the Ralph Emerson Ricera-mentored Phoenix, who staved off repeated rallies by the Titans.

Collins Wabo, the 6-8 Nigerian center, led the Titans with 19 points and 15 rebounds.

Fil-Am Josh Grilli added 17 points, including nine from rainbow territory.  John Vidal had 10.