Saints unbeaten; Titans rip Dolphins

MANILA, Philippines - Seven down, six to go for St. Clare College-Caloocan.

St. Clare showed too much class in beating EARIST, 94-76, for its season-best seven straight wins in the 16th NAASCU men’s basketball tournament at the Makati Coliseum.

Aries Dionisio joined hands with Michael de Leon, Paeng Rebugio, Junie Hallare and Mark Puspus to power the Saints of NAASCU chairman Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem and coach Jinino Manansala to another lopsided triumph in the 14-team tournament.

The 6-5 Dionisio led the way with 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Caloocan-based Saints, who are hoping to retain the title they won in 2012.

De Leon added 11 and Rebugio contributed 10.

Ringo Jimenez paced the Red Fox with 27 markers.

Sharing the limelight was AMA University, which survived a last-ditch rally by Philippine Christian University, 85-82.

Fil-Am guard Jason Riley and Jezer Calma combined for 41 points for coach Mark Herrera’s Titans, who improved to 3-4.

Riley scored eight of his team-high 21 points during a strong third-quarter run that enabled the Titans to take a commanding 23-point lead.

Calma added 20 points, Daniel Salonga contributed 14 and Jerome Ortega had 11 for AMA.

Jon Von Tambeling carried the fight for the Dolphins with 23 points, followed by Mike Ayonayon with 19, and Yves Sazon with 14.