PHILIPPINE Christian University and New Era University secured semifinal spots in the NAASCU Season 22 basketball tournament at the NOVADECI Complex.

The Manila -based Dolphins outclassed AMA University and Colleges, 61-46, while the Quezon City-based Hunters triumphed over Enderun Colleges, 57-47, in their respective knockout quarterfinal matchups.

Lionel Failon led the Dolphins’ charge as he tallied double-double numbers of 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting and 10 rebounds in nearly 28 minutes of action.

Solomon Itam contributed 11 points, game-highs 19 reboundsnd four blocks, and three assists.

Dan Gelo Pascua and Christian Austria added eight and six points, respectively.

Reed Baclig and Joshua Villamor paced AMA with 10 points each.

Baclig also contributed seven assists and four steals.

Earl Ceniza, Christian Camay, and JC Yambao provided support by coring nine, eight, and seven points, respectively.

In the other quarterfinal game, Toritseju Admas powered the Hunters to victory with 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, 10 rebounds, and six blocks in 32 minutes of play.

James Manzano added 11 points, followed by King Gallardo with eight points and three rebounds and Aldrin Basibica and Jared Sevilla with six points, Sevilla also secured 14 rebounds.

Only Jalen Garcia managed to score in double figures for the Titans with 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting in 24 minutes of playing.

.DJ Howe and Hans Delos Reyes added nine points each in the losing effort.

Looking ahead to the semifinals, the Dolphins will face No. 2Our Lady of Fatima University, while the Hunters will take on the defending champion St. Clare College of Caloocan.

Both PCU and NEU must defeat their respective opponents twice to advanc.

SCC and OLFU need to win just once.

The scores:

First game

NEU (57) — Adams 16, Manzano 11, Gallardo 8, Sevilla 6, Basibica 6, Angeles 4, Lauzon 4, Nablo 2, Tolentino 0, Arambulo 0, Labio 0.
Enderun (47) — Garcia 10, Howe 9, Delos Reyes 9, Manese 6, Jimenez 4, Malano 4, Panganiban 3, Libago 2, Salaudeen 0, Gastador 0
Quarterfinals: 10-15, 28-23, 45-35, 57-47.

Second game

PCU (61) — Failon 18, Itam 11, Pascua 8, Austria 6, Rotoni 5, Manipolo 4, Obioha 3, Daluz 2, Antonio 2, De Castro 2, Mallabo 0, Dulay 0, Lleva 0, Zita 0
AMA (46) — Baclig 10, Vilamor 10, Ceniza 9, Camay 8, Yambao 7, Dawis 2, Del Rosario 0, Alina 0, Romero 0
Quarterscores: 14-14, 31-29, 44-36, 61-46.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya