Hawks repulse Olympians, move to finals

MANILA, Philippines - University of Manila rallied in the fourth quarter to pull off a 72-68 victory over STI and clinch the second championship berth in the ninth NAASCU Basketball League at the Pasay Sports Complex yesterday.

Jeff Alvin Viernes fired 19 points while John Matubang and Kevin Rabalo added 17 and 12 points, respectively, as the Hawks fought back from 26-34 and 48-53 deficits in the second and third quarters, respectively, to fashion out the victory.

The former champions will dispute the championship with the SSC-R Cavite Baycats at 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Astrodome, also in Pasay City.

The Baycats posted 18 wins against two defeats to clinch the first finals slot while the Hawks wound up with a 16-4 (win-loss) slate.