DEFENDING champions Immaculada Concepcion College outlasted Bestlink College of the Philippines, 73-60, while Philippine Merchant Marine School overpowered University of Luzon, 81-61 in the 30th National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) basketball tournament at the Bestlink gymnasium in Quezon City.

Alfred Flores was again the man of the hour In ICC’s victory as he finished with 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field, six rebounds, four steals, and two assists in 33 minutes of action for the Blue Hawks coach Ogie Gumatay.

Totoy Ramirez recorded a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, Paul Gadin contributed 10 points and Joshua Monares had eight points.

Joshua Vidal had 17 points on 7-of-18 shooting and eight rebounds, while Louis Cu added 10 points and nine rebounds in a losing effort for Bestlink of coach Edwin Punio.

Earlier, Jerome Jaucian led the Aldrin Morante-mentored PMMS with an impressive performance of 28 points on 10-of-12 shooting, seven rebounds and five steals.

Kane Montecalvo contributed 13 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, and Alfred Estinopo added 12 points, five assists, and four rebounds.

Christian Esberto led the charge for University of Luzon with 15 points, followed by JC Seco with 13 points

Michael Lambino also made a significant contribution with eight points and a game-high 19 rebounds for coach BJ Vidal,

The scores:

First game

PMMS (81) – Jaucian 28, Montecalvo 13, Estinopo 12, Octavio 10, Velasco 6, Deveyra 5, Novencido 4, Reyes 3, Nierva 0, Almacin 0, Bolima 0.
Univ of Luzon (61) – Esberto 15, Seco 13, Lambino 8, Borja 8, Silvestre 8, Panganiban 3, Gallardo 2, Begenio 2, Camba 2, Pablo 0, Diego 0
Quarterscores: 22-18, 43-24, 65-42, 81-61

Second game

ICC (73) – Flores 26, Ramirez 10, Gadin 10, Monares 8, Pacarrangan 7, Vento 5, Famaranco 4, Seniedo 3, Lopez 0, Joaquin 0, Ibarra 0, Lopez 0
Bestlink (60) – Vidal 17, Cu 10, Maravilla 9, Banez 7, Ilagan 6, Aguilar 4, Gines 3, Z. Pitas 2, Sanchez 2, H. Pitas 0, Reyna 0.
Quarterscores: 21-18, 43-35, 59-53, 73-60.