ST. CLARE set up a finals showdown with defending champion Centro Escolar University after beating Rizal Technological University, 80-54, on Tuesday in the National Athletic Association for Schools, Colleges, and Universities (Naascu) men’s basketball tournament at the Makati Coliseum.
Jonathan Ibarra had 18 points while Jordan Rios and Aris Dionisio each had 15 for the Jino Manansala-coached Saints in the third and deciding game of their semifinal series against Blue Thunder.
The Saints will take on the Scorpions, who beat Philippine Christian University, 97-75, in a Game Two showdown marred by a bench-clearing brawl.
Game One of the finals is set on Thursday, 12 noon at the Makati Coliseum, although Naascu has yet to make a decision on whether to sanction players who took part in the melee.
CEU, which won the PBA D-League Foundation Cup after carrying the colors of Cafe France, entered the finals undefeated in eight games thanks to Rodrigue Ebondo, Mon Abundo, Alfred Batino, and Samboy De Leon.
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