Hawkettes stop AMACU 5 for NAASCU lead

MANILA, Philippines – University of Manila posted twin victories to show the way in the women’s and juniors divisions of the ninth NAASCU (National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities) basketball tournament at the UM gym recently.

The Hawkettes surprised the defending champion AMA Computer University side with a big run in the first quarter then hung on to carve out an 83-76 victory in a duel of unbeaten teams.

It was UM’s third straight win as the Hawkettes seized the solo lead in women’s play while dealing the AMACU ladies their first loss after sweeping their first two games.

St. Clare, coached by Mark Herrera, thus joined AMACU in second while SSC-R Cavite totes a 1-1 card and CEU and UMAK remain winless with 0-2 and 0-3 slates, respectively.

UM dominated AMACU in the first quarter, 25-12, and sustained its pace in the next two periods, 48-25, and 65-48, before thwarting AMACU’s rally to clinch the win.

UM’s junior team, meanwhile, broke away in the second half to beat SSC-R Cavite, 66-48, and tie New Era U in the lead with three straight wins in Group B.

The Hawklets barely took charge in the first two quarters, 17-13 and 31-24, but stepped up their charge at resumption, taking a 52-34 bulge in the third before coasting to the victory.