UM Hawks complete four-peat in NAASCU with win over CEU

University of Manila completed a "four-peat" championship via a sweet sweep in the NAASCU basketball tournament as the Hawks smothered the Centro Escolar University Scorpions, 59-48, at the Cuneta Astrodome yesterday.

Making it four in a row with an amazing sweep of 20 games this season and 73rd overall since the league’s inception in 2001, the Sampaloc-based team of Atty. Ernesto delos Santos also brought home the prestigious Bert Lina Cup.

For coach Loreto "Ato" Tolentino, it’s even sweeter since he gained a double-championship after steering the Philippine Christian University Dolphins to the NCAA championship Wednesday.

"The boys deserved to win this title. They were really focused to win from the very beginning of the tourney," said Tolentino, voted best coach both in NAASCU and the NCAA.

"Mukhang Tolentino-year ngayon in collegiate basketball. He pulled us through kahit mabigat na rin ang competition dito sa amin," said Delos Santos.

Jovit Gomez, named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, again stood at the forefront of UM’s attack‚ finishing with a game-high 27 points.

Gomez, the 6-1 pride of Virac, Catanduanes, also starred in the Hawks’ 75-63 win over the Scorpions in Game One of the best-of-three series.

In the first game, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay edged St. Clare College (Caloocan), 63-62, to clinch third place.

Joining Gomez in the mythical team are Ryan Regalado (UM), June Macasaet (CEU), Raymond Deveraturda (St. Clare) and Roel Asay (PLP).

The second mythical team is composed of Gener Bernados (UM), Almer Cristobal and James Cordero (CEU), Roy David (PLP) and Chris Manalili (St. Clare).

The special awardees were Gomez (top scorer) and Bernados (best rebounder).

NAASCU president Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem awarded the trophies to the winners, along with Mrs. Yolanda Cruz of PLP, Mrs. Loreto Panganiban of CEU and commissioner Graham Lim.