NAASCU: St. Clare, Fatima gain No. 3

MANILA, Philippines - St. Clare College-Caloocan rolled to its third straight win – and a share of the lead with Fatima College – as it blasted City University of Pasay, 88-65, in the 16th  NAASCU men’s basketball tournament at the  RTU gym in Boni Ave., Mandaluyong City.

The Saints, seeking to regain the crown they won in 2012, drew another explosive games from Rafael Rebugio and Aristotle Dionisio as they smothered the Eagles to stay unbeaten in the early going of the 14-team tournament.

Rebugio finished with 19 points while Dionisio added 12 for the Caloocan City-based Saints, who also routed AMA University, 82-67, last Aug. 25, and Philippine Merchant Marine School, 85-62, last Aug. 29.

Michael De Leon added 10 markers for the Jinno Manansala-mentored St. Clare, which has posted an average winning margin of 20.3 points.

Edgar Erice Jr. and Francis Macasil scored 17 and 11 points, respectively, for the Eagles, who dropped to 0-3.

Meanwhile, Our Lady of Fatima University upset Philippine Christian University, 81-69 to match St. Clare’s hot start while Manuel L. Quezon University trampled EARIST, 103-78 and AMA University bested New Era University, 84-79.

Martin Gozum and Jess Pedrosa combined for 34 points as the OLFU Phoenix rallied to beat the PCU Dolphins to match the Saints’ perfect record.

Gozum, a 6-2 transferee from Jose Rizal University, fired 22 points to power the Phoenix of coach Ralph Emerson Rivera to victory.

Michael Ayonayon shot 29 points for the Dolphins, who dropped to 1-1.

MLQU relied on Chris Bitoon (29), Niko Lao (14), Jaymark Mallari (13), Darryl Aurelio (12) and Gianne Rivera (11) to beat the Red Fox and improve to 2-1 under manager Jomar Acuzar and coach JR Manansala.