STI, Informatics seize NAASCU lead

MANILA, Philippines - Last year’s runner-up STI Colleges and Informatics International Colleges pulled off victories over their respective rivals to gain a share of the lead in the ninth NAASCU basketball tournament at the Pasay City Sports Complex yesterday.

The Olympians crushed the Centro Escolar University side, 89-67, while the Icons held off Lyceum of Subic Bay, 72-68, for their second straight wins in this 12-team tournament organized by the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU), headed by Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem.

Maclean Sabellina, a 6-4 center and one of the holdovers of the 2007 champion squad, scattered 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Olympians to the early lead.

Rookie forward Martin Antonio and Vergilio Carino addded 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Mark Jerol Banas fired 17 points for the Scorpions, who debuted with an 81-79 win over five-time champion University of Manila, 81-79, over the weekend.

Informatics relied on newcomer Mark Angelo Montuano, who sizzled with 29 points as they beat Lyceum.

Mario Leonida and Eric Acuna combined for 21 points for the Icons.

Raymond Ellano, JC Collado, Jayson Espenelli and Rolliver Valencia combined for 43 points for the Olongapo City-based Sharks, who fell to 0-2.

In the other game, St. Clare College (Caloocan) nipped Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay, 79-76, for its first win in two outings.

Edu Mustre scored 18 points and Aries Parinas added 16 points for the Saints.

Richmond Sibal added 10 points for St. Clare, which dropped its opening-day assignment to STI College.