AMA, two others share lead in National Inter-Collegiate

IBAJAY, Aklan - AMA Computer University relied on its fluid offensive pattern to blunt St. Vincent de Paul College’s speed en route to en emphatic 99-79 win to share the lead with two other teams before a jampacked early morning crowd Monday at the Ibajay Multipurpose Hall here.
It was the second win in a row for the AMACU Titans, who also won their opening match against host team Aklan Polytechnic Institute, 92-76, on Sunday.
Central Luzon’s Angeles University Foundation and Cordillera Administrative Region’s University of Baguio likewise posted two wins apiece for a three-way logjam for the lead in the week-long event organized by the Basketball Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the municipal government of Ibajay, Aklan, headed by Mayor Robert Garcia. The tournament is also supported by Bur-lington, Healthy Options and Baker’s Fair.
The AUF Great Danes had an easy time against the Phoenix of Immaculate Conception Archdiocesan School from Zamboanga City, cruising to a 88-67 win, also its second in a row.
AUF, however, got a big scare in its opening game against St. Vincent de Paul, which could either tie the game or win the game outright had Roly Bebat made the two free throws awarded him with only .04 seconds to go and the Surigao-based dribblers trailing by one,92-93.
Bebat missed both throws to the relief of the Great Danes, who escaped with the win before a huge, noisy crowd that packed the stadium.
The UB Cardinals also had to go through anxious moments before winning its opening game, a 98-95 squeaker over ICAS, but played much better in out-lasting API, 112-77.
Leomario Abac topscored for the Titans with 27 points, while Dennis Maravilla, Rommel Galvez and Josel Suarez combined for 35 points, underscoring AMA-CU’s balanced firepower.
“Malayo pa ito. We still have to face the tougher teams in the tournament. But our boys are prepared,” said Titans coach Boni Garcia, who grew up in this third-class municipality located less than an hour away from the world-famous Boracay Island.
Warly Hontilo finished with 17 points for the Surigao-based dribbles, while Ariel Cantuna, the team’s slam-dunking forward, added 15.