NCRAA officers and directors pose for photo. They are (seated, left to right): Benjie Hernandez (PATTS), auditor; Engr.Ted Cada (AIMS), treasurer; Gerry Sergio (DLSU-D), NCRAA president; Engr. Doni Lleno, vice president (BCP); Joseph Ortega (PMMS), secretary; and (standing) NCRAA general manager Buddy Encarnado, Eddieson Ogie (Olivarez College), Marco Agana (ICC),Atty.San Viernes, board legal officr; Ivan Cains (LPU-L) and Jack Vidal (UL).
Immaculada Concepcion opens title-retention bid vs AIMS
DEFENDING champion Immaculada Concepcion College begins its title defense in both the men’s and juniors’ divisions as the 31st National Capital and Regional Athletic Association (NCRAA) basketball tournaments kick off at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Handled by head coach Ogie Gumatay and bannered by the trio of Alfred Flores, Tutoy Ramirez, and Jared Vento, the Blue Hawks are eyeing a rare three-peat in the prestigious school legue celebrating its 31st season.
The Blue Hawks will open their campaign against last season’s second runner-up, the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, in the mainer at 2:30 p.m.
“Excited na kami kahit may pressure dahil nakuha namin yung back-to-back. So now, we’re looking for the three-peat. Pero sabi ko nga sa mga players, hindi ganun kadali yun dahil lahat ng teams naghanda para sa atin,” said Gumatay.
“Sinasabi ko lagi sa kanila, kailangan ma-work out namin lahat. ng mga detalya para makuha natin yung goal namin this coming year,” added Gumatay.
“Sabi ko, history ito. Kung mangyari ito, three-peat ito sa NCRAA.”
First runner-up and host De La Salle University-Dasmariñas will face the University of Luzon at 1 p.m., following the colorful opening ceremony at 11 a.m.
“Okay naman kasi may mga liga kaming sinalihan. Para nang makita talaga namin yung development ng mga bata. Saka may mga bagong players kami ngayon,” said Dasmariñas-based Patriots coach Tito Reyes.
“Yung maturity ng mga bagong players, importante yun.”
In the juniors’ division, the Baby Blue Hawks will take on Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite in the curtainraiser at 9 a.m.
NCRAA General Manager Buddy Encarnado assured basketball fans that NCRAA teams will continue to produce outstanding players.
“This is our small way of contributing to the national effort, particularly to the Gilas Pilipinas program. So a little league like the NCRAA is doing its best,” said Encarnado when he appeared at the PSA Sports Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila recently.
The format will be a single round robin, with the top eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals, followed by the knockout semifinals, and the finals which would be a best-of-three series.
