HAWKS COP 6TH NAASCU TITLE
The 6-Time NAASCU Champs, UM Hawks
The University of Manila Hawks copped their sixth title after beating the STI College Olympians 68 – 55 in Game 2 of the finals of the 10th National Athletic Association of Schools Colleges and Universities. The win avenged the 2007 loss of the Hawks to the same team. Leading the way for the Hawks is rookie forward Eugene Torres who scored 30 points and was the thorn on the side of the Olympians. The Olympians shut down the league’s scoring champion Rhandelle Colina as the hot shooting Colina ended his NAASCU career with a zero point production. Unfortunately for the Olympians, Torres would rise up to the occasion and tow the now six-time champions.
Jeff Viernes on the lay-up
The game was played in spurts as the Hawks started on a 7 – 0 tear courtesy of Torres and second year center Jay Ar Manuel. The Olympians then countered as Norman Ihalas and Hesed Gabo scored to give the Olympians a 9-7 lead. Unfortunately for them it was their last stand as Eugene Torres waxed hot and took matters into his own hands. The 6-1 forward from Davao hit three more three pointers which gave the Hawks a commanding 23 – 13 lead after the first quarter.
Sabellina scores
From then on the Hawks would weather all rallies made by the Olympians as the rest of the Hawks contributed a dime or two to shut down the Olympians. Last year’s only returning mythical selectee Jerald Bautista was held to only one point, sophomore forward Cedric Ablaza scored only two points while rookie forward Abby Chavez who scored heavily in the final four shooting guard did not score. The defense of the Hawks was so suffocating that it did not give the hapless Olympians a chance to come back.
The NAASCU then gave Eugene Torres the league MVP award as the Forward from Davao was the most consistent Hawk all year long. Mythical five selectees included Torres, Colina, last year’s rookie of the year Jeff Alvin Viernes , RK Morales of the Olympians, Mark Montuaño of the Informatics Icons.
Castelo on a lay -in
In juniors play, the Our Lady of Fatima University leaned on league MVP AJ Perea to score a 76 – 73 win and cop their first league crown. The Saint Clare Baby saints slammed the door on the defending champion UM Hawklets as they beat them 68 – 59 in the battle for third place. On the other hand, the Informatics Icons beat the CEU Scorpions to complete their remarkable rise from 7th place to 3rd place.
OLFU Junior Phoenix,
10th NAASCU Juniors champs
MYTHICAL FIVE
Gabe Rublico - CEU
Marte Gil - ST.CLARE
Michael Eneria - UM
AJ Perea - OLFU
Dan Alberto - OLFU
Rookie of the year - Kenneth Macapulay - ST.CLARE
Most Valuable Player - AJ Perea - OLFU
Coach of the Year- MR. Ralph Emerson Rivera
Mythical 5 & Individual winners
Acuña, Betayene, Montuaño, Morales
Torres, Viernes, Colina
SENIOR DIVISION INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Scoring Champions - Rhandelle Colina UM 19.5 ppg
King of the Boards - Jay-Ar Manuel UM 9.3 rpg.
Assists Specialist -Eric Acuna INFORMATICS 3.84 apg
Best in steals - Jeff Alvin Viernes UM 1.9 spg
Best shot blocker Henri Atanga-Betayene STI 2.45 bpg
MYTHICAL FIVE
Mark Montuano INFORMATICS
R K Morales STI
Eugene Torres UM
Rhandelle Colina UM
Jeff Alvin Viernes UM
Rookie of the Year - EUGENE TORRES UM
Most Valuable Player - EUGENE TORRES UM
Coach of the Year -MR. FERDINAND “JOCAS” CASTILLO
1ST Game “Battle for Third Place Junior Division”
ST.CLARE (68)
Gil 22, K.Macapulay 15, Barte 7, DeLeon 7, Mercado 5, DeMesa 4, Federez 4, Libunao 2, Paguirigan 2.
UM (59)
Galanza 15, Baylen 9, Castro 8, Eneria 8, Santos 6, Alfonso 5, Serrano
4, Nicolas 4, Cipriano 0, DeGuzman 0.
QrtrScores 22 – 13; 32 – 34; 48 – 51; 68 – 59 Final
2nd Game “Game 2 Best of Three (3) Championship Series Junior Division”
OLFU (76)
Perea 12, Alberto 12, Diego 10, Teodoro 9, Pineda 8, Khan 7,
DelRosario 6, Flores 6, Juanico 6, Balabbo 0, Cruz 0.
CEU (73)
Parale 22, Panchito 15, Delfinado 6, Mejos 6, Anain 6, Rublico 5,
DeOcampo 2, Navarro 2, Pillas 2, Villamayor 0.
Quarter Scores 19 – 13; 41 – 35; 54 – 55; 76 – 73 Final
3rd Game “Battle for Third Place Senior Division”
Informatics (75 )
Montuano 18, Castelo 18, Limpat 15, Leonida 7, J.Santos 6,
Ubalde 4, K.Santos 3, Carlos 2, Acuna 2, Corpuz 0.
CEU (69)
Almario 14, Babad 10, Magbitang 9, Chua 6, Gallardo 6, Garcia 6, Flores 5, Banas 3, Taclas 2, Dela Cruz 1, Silvestre 0.
QrtrScores 17 – 12; 35 – 33; 54 – 48; 75 – 69 Final
4th Game “Game 2 Best of Three (3) Championship Series Senior
UM (68)
Torres 30, Viernes 18, Manuel 11, Pateno 7, Tamayo 2, Rabalo 0, Ancheta 0, Colina 0, Tan 0.
STI (55)
Gabo 13, Morales 10, Betayene 10, Sabellina 8, Ihalas 8, Melano 3,
Ablaza 2, Bautista 1, Po 0, Daguplo 0, Villadoz 0, Riva 0, Bocablo 0, Chavez 0.
QrtrScores 23 – 13; 45 – 29; 54 – 39; 68 – 55 Final