OUR Lady of Fatima University moved a step closer to claiming the NAASCU Season 22 basketball championship, posting a hard-earned 80-72 win over defending champion St. Clare College of Caloocan in Game 1 of their best-of-three title series at the Novadeci Convention Center in Quezon City.

Andrei Romero, Ace Rusell Tiamzon, Edward Labayen and Mamadou Toure combined for 67 points to lead the Valenzuela City-based Phoenix, who seeking their first -ever men’s crown in the league.

Romero delivered a solid performance as he finished with 17 points on 4-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc, six assists and three rebounds in 33 minutes of play for coach Ralph Rivera.

Tiamzon also stepped upwith an impressive all-around effort with 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block.

Labayen chipped in 17 points, six assists, four rebounds, and four steals, while Toure recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds as the Phoenix moved one win away from the NAASCU title.

Charles Tecson provided ample support for Phoenix, contributing eight points.

Ahron Estacio led the losing effort of the Caloocan City based-Saints of coach Jino Manansala with 22 points shooting 7-of-20 from the field, six steals, four assists, and three rebounds in 27 minutes of action.

Babacar Ndong added 13 points, seven rebounds, and four steals while Megan Galang contributed 11 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Drick Acosta chipped in nine points and four rebounds while Charles Burgos also added eight points and seven rebounds.

With Fatima leading 76-70, St. Clare trimmed the deficit to four, 72-76, on a two-point jumper by Estacio with 1:33 remaining.

Galang fouled Labayen, who split his free throws to extend Fatima’s lead. With 45 seconds left, Jolo Sumaygaysay missed a three-point attempt, but Acosta grabbed the offensive rebound.

However, Labayen quickly stole the ball from Acosta.

Labayen then sank two crucial free throws, giving Fatima more breathing room.

Estacio missed two three-point attempts in the final moments, and Labayen sealed the game by returning to the free-throw line.

“Maganda yun results for us, pero no time for us to relax. Yun Game 2 alam naman natin gaano kalakas ang St. Clare, so we need to prepare. So no time to rest.” said coach Rivera.

“Actually wala naman pressure samin yun. Just go to the game and play their game. Kung ano yun game plan i-apply lang namin” added Rivera.

“Nawala sa game yun Burgos and Ndong so feeling ko gagawa sila ng way. Actually advantage si Burgos and Ndong meron silang strength pero for sure meron yan ilalabas kaya titignan namin kung ano yun pwede icover at paghandaan next game.”

The scores:

Fatima (80) — Romero 17, Tiamzon 17, Labayen 17, Toure 16, Tecson 8, Gomez 3, Loyola 2, Bencalo 0, Templonuevo 0
St. Clare (72) — Estacio 22, Ndong 13, Galang 11, Acosta 9, Burgos 8, Sual 6, Sumagaysay 3, Lim 0, Desabelle 0.
Quarterscores: 22-16, 40-35, 62-54, 80-72.

The results:

Game1: Fatima 80, St. Clare 72
(Fatima leads series, 1-0)

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya