TIP tops St. Clare, advances in Luzon elims

Games tomorrow (Faith Gym, Tanauan City)

2 p.m. – Mapua vs St. Clare

4 p.m. – Jose Rizal vs NU

MANILA, Philippines – Technological Institute of the Philippines pulled off another thriller in as many days, holding off St. Clare College, 62-59, to advance in the Luzon-Metro Manila Qualifying Games of the National Collegiate Championship at the TIP gym in Quiapo yesterday.

The Engineers bucked back-to-back turnovers in the closing seconds and watched their rivals muff a number of attempts from beyond the arc and the perimeter to hack out the victory and top Group B.

They will next face the South Luzon-Bicol champion Olivarez College Sea Lions for a spot in the Elite Eight.

TIP’s victory came on the heels of their 70-64 reversal over Mapua last Wednesday.

Earlier, Jay-J Alejandro went on a scoring binge as he fired 25 points to power National University to an imposing 99-51 victory over PATTS College in Group A.

Alejandro hit all but one of his eight shots and drilled all his five three-pointers and four free throws in an awesome shooting. He also dished off five assists and had one steal.

So impressive was the former national youth team standout that he made the feat in just a little over 22 minutes.

“It was a big game for us because some of our seniors did not play to let the younger guys a chance,” said Alejandro, referring to team captain Gelo Alolino, who skipped the annual tournament which features the country’s top colleges and universities.

The Bulldogs, the former UAAP champions, actually struggled in the early going but settled down in the second period, outscoring the Sea Horses, 25-13, to post a 44-27 lead at the turn.

But they poured it all out in the second half, leading by as many as 52 points in one stretch before settling for the 48-point romp.

NU coach Eric Altamirano went deep into his roster and fielded all 16 of his players with only one ending up scoreless.

PATTS, which topped the Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association to advance, absorbed its second straight loss and bowed out of the Elite Eight race.

The Sea Horses fell to the Jose Rizal Bombers, 63-90, last Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Group A winner will meet Lyceum Northwestern U (North/Central Luzon champion) for the other Elite Eight spot.

Already seeded in the Elite Eight are UAAP champion FEU, NCAA winner Letran, CESAFI-Cebu titlist University of San Carlos, UAAP runner-up UST and NCAA runner-up San Beda College.

The scores:

First Game

NU 99 – Alejandro 25, Diputado 10, Rangel 9, Yu 9, Abatayo 7, Aquino 6, Aroga 5, Pate 5, de Castro 5, Gallego 4, Morido 4, Cinco 4, Tanciangco 3, Salem 2, Salim 1, Lastimosa 0

PATTS 51 – Reed 13, Diaz 7, Velasco 7, Cayson 7, Fandalian 6, Calubag 5, Capinding 2, Orada 2, Borja 2, Beltran 0, Loyola 0, Noble 0, Pimentel 0

Quarterscores: 19-14, 44-27; 73-37; 99-51