Olympians enter NAASCU semis

MANILA, Philippines - Former champion STI Colleges crushed arch-rival AMA Computer University, 66-54, to advance to the Final Four for fifth straight year in the ninth National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU) men’s basketball tournament at the UM gym in Gastambide, Manila yesterday.

Lyceum of Subic Bay, meanwhile, ousted Informatics International Colleges, 74-62, in the other game.

The Olympians drew another big game from veteran guard Norman Ihalas to beat the Titans and clinch the No. 3 spot in the crossover semifinals in the 12-team double-round tournament organized by NAASCU president Ernesto Jay Adalem.

Ihalas scattered 20 points for the Olympians, who closed out their elimination round campaign with a 12-6 (win-loss) card and earned the right to face five-time titlist University of Manila in the semis.

MacLean Sabellina, Mac Macabsaco and Martin Antonio contributed eight points apiece for STI, which needs to beat UM twice to reach the finals. Sander Salvador led the Titans with 14 points.