ST. Clare College stunned University of the East, 81-79, in the opening game of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Metro Manila qualifiers on Tuesday at the San Juan Arena.
Jeff Viernes hit a fadeaway shot with 25.9 seconds remaining in the match to give the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities champion the stunning win over the red-hot Red Warriors, who won two offseason tournaments following the PCCL qualifiers.
Viernes, who plays for Boracay Rum in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup, finished the game with 23 points.
UE was a replacement for Far Eastern University, which decided not to field a team despite finishing fifth in the UAAP.
Adamson, Jose Rizal University, and Mapua won their first outing in the round-robin tournament where the top two teams advance to the knockout rounds.
The Falcons beat Interscholastic Athletic Association champion Philippine Merchant Marine School, 73-63, while the Heavy Bombers defeated St. Francis of Assisi College, the University and Colleges of Luzon Athletic Association champions, 86-63.
The Cardinals, with assistant coach Randy Alcantara handling the team after Chito Victolero stepped down as head coach, beat Men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association titlist Centro Escolar University, 72-66.
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