Chiefs trounce Scorpions in Fr. Martin Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Arellano University, Centro Escolar University-A and Colegio San Benildo prevailed over their rivals in the start of the 14th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament last Saturday at the Arellano University gym in Legarda, Manila.

Clifford Cahigas made 19 point and led three others in scoring double digits for the Arellano University Chiefs, who beat the CEU-B Scorpions, 65-56, in their own home court.

Orlan Wamar fired 15 points and Gills Oloume chipped in 12 points for the CEU-B Scorpions in their 66-54 subduing of Far Eastern University.

Gelo Bernas topscored for 19 points as the San Benildo Blazing Wolves downed the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws, 66-54.

The Chiefs, with Ivan Pineda chipping in 11 points, turned the tables on the Scorpions in the fourth period, and after overcoming a 41-46 deficit in the third.

A total of 31 school teams have officially joined in the senior and junior divisions in this three-month-long cagefest.

There are now 14 college teams, and 17 high school squads have pushed through with their participation, according to chief organizer Edmundo “Ato” Badolato and commissioner Robert de la Rosa.

Listed in Group A of the senior division are Adamson University, Arellano, San Sebastian College, Jose Rizal University, CEU-B, St. Michael and Diliman Preparatory School.

There’s FEU in Group B with San Beda, Letran, University of Perpetual Help-Cavite, CEU-A and Colegio San Agustin-Binan, and Mary the Queen College-Pampanga.

Set to join MPS in Group B of the junior division are reigning UAAP champion National University, La Salle Greenhills-B, St. Michael, San Benildo, FEU, San Beda-Rizal, Hope and Adamson.

In Group A are Xavier School, Chiang Kai Shek College, LSGH-A, San Beda-Mendiola, La Salle-Zobel, Letran, Makati Gospel College and CSA-Binan.