Hawks, Olympians, Phoenix share NAASCU lead

MANILA, Philippines - University of Manila, STI Colleges and Our Lady of Fatima University hurdled their respective opponents to gain a share of the early lead in the 10th NAASCU men’s basketball championship at the UM gym recently.

The Hawks, with new recruits Rhandelle Colina, Eugene Torres and JR Tan on the firing end, blasted AMA Computer University, 100-80, for their second straight victory in the 12-team tournament.

The 5-9 Colina and 6-3 Torres, acquired by UM from Davao City, scored 17 points each, while Tan chipped in 14 points for the Hawks who also drew 12 points from last year’s top rookie Jeff Viernes and 10 from JR Ancheta.

Aziz Mbomiko of Cameroon fired 14 points while Mark Mangalinadan and Sander Salvador had 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the Titans, who reeled to their second straight setback.

The STI Olympians also routed New Era University, 60-43, while the Fatima Phoenix crushed Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay, 86-48.

Cedric Ablaza shot 12 points while Rama Morales added 10 points for the Olympians, who also got five points, 10 rebounds and three shot blocks from Henri Betayene, STI’s 6-7 recruit from Cameroon.

Informatics International Colleges bounced back from opening-day loss to Fatima by defeating opening-day winner Centro Escolar University, 82-77.

Mark Limpat led the Icons with 23 points, followed by Jan Baltazar with 15 and Mark Montuano with 12 while Mark Banas and Justin Antes paced the Scorpions with 15 and 13 points, respectively.