BAGUIO CITY — St. Clare College dumped Assumption College of Davao, 79-43, to virtually capture the women’s title in the 2012 SBP National Under-16 Championships at the University of Baguio.

Though the team has only eight healthy players, the Caloocan-based St. Clare dribblers still dictated the tempo of the game by using their height and quickness to score in transition plays.

The win was the third straight for St. Clare, thus assuring the Caloocan side of the title no matter what happens to its game against host St. Louis University at the close of the elims in the five-team women’s tournament.

International School for Better Beginnings edged St. Bridget School of Batangas, 59-57, and Dagupanbased Jose de Venecia Sr. Memorial National High School defeated St. Louis University, 63-55, in a battle of winless squads in the women division at the Cordillera Career Development College in Benguet.

SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan will give P30,000 and P20,000 to men’s and women champions in the week-long tournament for players 16 years old and below.

Meantime, University of Visayas crushed winless St. Agnes Academy of Albay, 88-50, for its third win in four games, thus boosting its bid to enter the crossover semifinals in the men’s side.

The Cebuanos need to beat St. Clare (1-2) Thursday last day of elimination to join undefeated Group A qualifier Bacolod-based St. John Institute (3-0).

University of Santo Tomas and Cagayan de Oro-based Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori paced Group B with similar 3-0 records.

The Growling Tigers and Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori notched their third straight wins by beating Claret School of Zamboanga, 85-77, and Lucena-based International for Better Beginnings, 89-85, respectively.

Playing with only eight players, the Caloocan-based St. Clare lady dribblers dictated the tempo of the right from the opening whistle secure the lopsided win and preserved their unbeaten 3-0 record in the five-team women division.