MANILA, Philippines - Technological Institute of the Philippines and Trinity University of Asia trounced their respective rivals in similar fashions to kick off their bid in the third National Collegiate Basketball League at the TIP gym in Manila last Wednesday.
The TIP Engineers seized control early and went on to blast newcomer Enderun Titans, 68-48, while the TUA Stallions leaned on Junnel Mendiola and routed the AIE-College of Angeles City side, 92-58.
Ben Adamos, Leo Benavidez and Kimley Medina combined for 32 points to lead the defending champion Engineers’ romp over the Titans, who drew 19 points from Willy Kangria and 13 markers from Jordas Rios.
With Mendiola on the firing end, the Stallions also stamped their class early, breaking away from a 37-27 game and into a 59-41 bulge heading to the fourth.
Meanwhile, action in the league, backed by Hoop It Up, Zic Lubricants, Athletes-in-Action and Manila Standard-Today, resumes on Sept. 27 with another new team in Diliman Computer Technology Institute debuting against TIP at 10 a.m. while NCBL inaugural season champion Centro Escolar University face off with TUA at the Trinity University of Asia gym.