The 30th NCRAA Junior Division Myth8cal Team members pose with league officials. Photo by ICC Herald
ICC draws first blood in NCRAA finals
DEFENDING champion Immaculada Concepcion College moved one step closer to securing back-to-back titles after defeating De La Salle University- Dasmarinas, 87-79, in Game 1 of the 30th NCRAA (National Capital Region Athletic Association) at the Olivarez gym in Parañaque City.
Jared Vento shone for the Ogie Gumatay-mentored Blue Hawks, finishing with 19 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes of action, Paul Gadin added 17 points with five triples.
Tutoy Ramirez also stepped up for the Blue Hawks as he came through with a triple-doubleof 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in 37 minutes of play, propelling the Caloocan-based Blue Hawks to victory to the delight of another big crowd that included ICC president Marco Agana and other top school officials.
Alfred Flores, who exploded with 44 points against Olivarez College in the semifinals, finished the game with 13 points, seven rebounds, and six assists before fouling out in the final seconds of the last frame.
“Magaling yun coaches (La Salle), very systematic, yun mga player talented puro shooters, kaya pina-alala ako sa kanila na kung nanalo tayo sa Olivarez. tapos na yun. Ibang laban ito, ibang series na ito,” said Gumatay.
“I-adjust naming yun mga lapses para pagdating don sa Game 2 and of course homecourt namin, so i-grab namin yun opportunity para makuha namin yun back-to-back championship,” added Gumatay.
Rogelio Calagos led the fight for the Dasmarinas-based Patriots with 21 points, six steals and five rebounds in 40 minutes of action for coach Tito Reyes.
Ronroy Bunda added 17 points and four rebounds while Gio Santiago contributed 14 points. PJ Delos Santos and Nigel Roxas chipped in with eight and seven points, respectively.
With 4:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Blue Hawks held a 10-point lead but the Patriots threatened after cutting the deficit to four, 76-80, with 2:16 left.
Both the Blue Hawks and the Patriots committed turnovers before Ramirez and Flores scored five points to extend the Blue Hawks’ lead to 85-76 with 1:10 remaining on the clock, sealing the victory.
The scores:
ICC (87) — Vento 19, Gadin 17, Ramirez 16, Flores 13, Lopez 9, Joaquin 8, Monares 5, Seniedo 0, Delos Santos 0
La Salle-Dasma (79) — Calagos 21, Bunda 17, Santiago 14, Delos Santos 8, Roxas 7, Rasonable 6, Puda 5, De Castro 1.
Quarterscores: 30-20, 45-38, 69-60, 87-79.
