ST. CLARE College of Caloocan overcame a twice-to-beat disadvantage against the Our Lady of Fatima University, posting a 75-67 win in their semifinal match in the NAASCU junior basketball competition at the Philippine Buddhacare gym in Quezon City.

The win enabled St. Clare to arrange a title clash with the New Era University.

Racine Kane led the Junior Saints’ victory with 18 points, 15 rebounds, four steals and three assists in 35 minutes of action.

John Reyes added 13 points, Joshua Russel contributed 10 points and six assists, Klint Manzano had eight and Chris Ian Dumancas had seven.

Keith Russel Bencalo topscored for Fatima with 20 points, followed by Mikael Jostel Gutierrez with 13 points and five rebounds and Luke Gabriel Basilan with 12 points.

In women’ s division, Fatima relied on Gift Jive Ferrer to beat University of Makati, 58-55, and reach the finals against Enderun Colleges.

Ferrer finished with 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals in 28 minutes, while Jasslyn Mendoza added 18 points, four steals, and three rebounds.

Ma. Cecilia Quilenderino led the losing effort for UMak with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Tchamy Densing had 12 points.

The scores:

First game (Juniors)

St. Clare (75) – Kane 18, Reyes 13, Russel 10, Manzano 8, Dumancas 7, Magno 6, Desabelle 6, Delgado 5, Iman 2, Singson 0.
Fatima (67) – Bencalo 20, Gutierrez 13, Basilan 12, Garcera 6, S Reyes 4, Barroga 4, Placido 2, Culanay 2, Gotera 2, Bayaca 2, Dequilla 0, Hostellero 0, Roxas 0, Mendoza 0, Mauricio 0, J Reyes 0.
Quarterscores: 21-15, 43-35, 60-51, 75-67.

Second game (Women)

Fatima (58) – Ferrer 29, Mendoza 18, Villagracia 4, Bausing 2, Salutan 2, San Jose 2, Aceveda 1, Checa 0.
UMak(55) – Quilenderino 14, Densing 12, Perez 11, Carcasona 8, Mendoza 7, dela Cruz 2, Parungao 1, Jimeno 0, Gersalia 0.
Quarterscores: 17-16, 34-27, 41-36, 58-55.