Lady Pirates, Roebucks dump foes in WNCAA opener
August 3, 2009

Defending champion Lyceum paraded a rookie-laden squad but still got away with an 80-33 thrashing of Rizal Technological University to jumpstart its bid for a fourth straight championship in the opener of the 40th WNCAA on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Host school Angelicum College likewise posted a rout over St. Scholastica's College, 63-31, in the juniors division.  Camille Claro effectively backstopped the Roebucks, third placers last season, while leading all
scorers with 25 points.

Lyceum hardly missed the services of 39th season Most Valuable Player April Lualhati, who has already used up her playing years, leading by more than 30 points for most part of the match.  Six-foot-one rookie Lalaine Flormata topscored for the Lady Pirates with 19  points. "I'm surprised that they have jelled this fast, considering that eight are newcomers," said Lyceum coach Aileen Lebornio. Claro, who trained with the RP Youth 15-under squad last summer, played for Angelicum's midgets five last season.

She suffered from cramps in the latter part of the third period but immediately strung up four straight
points upon her return in the final quarter to give Angelicum the game's biggest lead of 34 points, 56-22.
The 40 th  WNCAA is being supported by Mikasa, Molten, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Goody, IBC 13,
Manila Bulletin, Sports Digest, Nicotina Garden Pavilion, Muscle Tape, Burlington, MJC Photography and Macgraphics Carranz.   

At the St. Scholastica gym yesterday, last year's losing finalist College of St. Benilde survived Philippine
Women's University in overtime, 54-50; Miriam routed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 71-58; St. Scholastica bested Centro Escolar, 77-54; and University of Asia and the Pacific escaped past La Consolacion College Manila,
48-41.  (END)

The Scores

St. Scholastica 77 - Jimenez 28, Mallada 19, K. Del Rosario 8, A. Del Rosario 8, Ferrer 6, Hernandez 4, Magbitang 4, Lagunsad 0, Villanueva 0, Arriola 0, Tan 0.

CEU 54 - Belen 12, Castro 11, MArtin 10, Noguerra 5, Agra 5, Gonzales 4, Santos 3, Manzano 2, PAdilla 2, Felicio 0, Yuzon 0. Quarterscore: 20-10, 40-22, 46-36, 77-54

UA&P 48 - Biolena 14, Teotico 11, Alcantara 9, Capisonda 8, Canlas 6, Sapit 0, Anolin 0, Borcelis 0, Quitiquit 0.
LCCM 41 - Espino 13, Catalan 12, Mangabat 5, Capistrano 4, Roque 4, Reyes 3, Cortez 0, Aureus 0.
Quarterscores: 13-5, 24-10, 43-26, 48-41 For more details, results and other information, visit www.wncaa.com.ph