NATIONAL Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities champion St. Clare College-Caloocan hopes to continue its success in 2018 when it participates in the National Capital Region qualifying phase of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Jose Rizal University gym along Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City starting Jan. 15.
Handled by NAASCU president Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem and coach Jino Manansala, the Caloocan City-based Saints return to action armed with new-found confidence brought about by their successful title campaign in the NAASCU.
“We’re confident of our chances in the PCCL. The players are in high spirits since winning back-to-back NAASCU titles last October,” said Adalem.
“The PCCL is also a good opportunity for the players to further hone their skills under Coach Manansala before they take their acts to the PBA D- League scheduled later this month,” added Adalem, who is widely credited for turning St. Clare into one of the leading collegiate teams.
Manansala, for his part, said the coming PCCL and PBA D-League will give the St. Clare players the chance to prove that their success in the NAASCU was no fluke as they will be playing against NCAA and UAAP and UCBL teams in the PCCL and top commercial teams in the PBA D-League.
“We’re ready to take on the challenge. We like our chances,” said Manansala, who was also named “Best Coach “ of the NAASCU after joining CEU coach Egay Macaraya as the second winningest coach in league history with three titles behind the five of UM coach Ato Tolentino.
Led by two-time NAASCU MVP winner Aris Dionisio, Junjie Hallare, Paeng Rebugio and African import Mohamed Pare, St. Clare completed a smashing two-game sweep of De Ocampo Memorial College (101-79) and 98-83) to capture their second straight NAASCU crown and third since founding the league in 2001.
In the PCCL, St. Clare is bracketed in Group A along with MBL champion Colegio de San Lorenzo and NCAA heavyweight Jose Rizal University.
In Group B are Far Eastern University, San Sebastian College and PATTS.
Based on tournament format, the top team in Group A and Group B will dispute the championship in a one-game final on Jan. 18.
St. Clare will open its campaign against CdSL on Jan. 16 and JRU on Jan. 17.
Both matches will be played at 3 p.m. at the JRU gym.