CEU, RTU fives pull off big wins in WNC opener

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champions Centro Escolar University and Rizal Technological University routed their respective rivals to highlight the start of the 46th WNCAA over the weekend.

Four-time senior basketball champion CEU turned back host Philippine Women’s University, 53-30, with Cristine Caranto firing 14 points, Mary Ann Dologue adding 11 markers and three-time MVP Janine Pontejos chipping in eight points at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum last Friday.

Mary Rose Labrador scored eight points for PWU.

Also hurdling their initial assignments last Sunday at the St. Scholastica’s College gym were San Beda College Alabang, which routed St. Scholastica, 67-35; RTU, which demolished University of Asia & the Pacific, 86-28; and Miriam College, which trounced Assumption, 53-41.

In juniors basketball, De La Salle Zobel stunned defending champion La Salle College Antipolo, 59-44, with Jeeuel Rhocel Bartolo topscoring with 14 points.

RTU also stopped PWU, 25-22, 25-17, 25-17, in volleyball at the SSC gym last Friday then swept St. Scholastica, 25-10, 25-14, 25-16, last Sunday at RMC.

CEU matched defending champion RTU’s 2-0 card with victories over SBCA, 22-25, 25-16, 30-28, 21-25, 15-12, and Miriam, 21-25, 25-9, 25-16, 25-8.

PWU bounced back with a win over Assumption, 25-14, 25-22, 28-26, and so did SBCA, which beat UA&P, 25-2, 25-13, 25-20, for 1-1 slates.

Defending junior champion Miriam also prevailed, 25-12, 25-16, 25-10, against St. Stephen’s High School, while St. Paul College Pasig likewise kicked off its back-to-back title bid in the midgets division with a 25-14, 25-19 triumph over St. Scholastica.