DEFENDING champions Immaculada Concepcion College shrugged off a slow start to roll back Philippine Merchant Marine School, 104-82, even as Asian Institute of Maritime Studies secured its second straight win in the National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) basketball tournament at the Bestlink Gymnasium in Quezon City.

The trio of Totoy Ramirez, Alfred Flores and Jared Vento combined for 71 points to spearhead ICC’s victory over PMMS.

Ramirez delivered an impressive performance with 29 points on 13-of-19 shooting from the field, and contributed seven assists, six rebounds, and three steals in over 34 minutes of play for coach Ogie Gumatay.

Flores contributed 25 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Vento added 17 points as ICC bounce back from their 78-92 opening game loss to AIMS last Friday at the PhilSports Arena.

Joaquin Octavo led PMMS’ losing effort with 15 points and six rebounds for coach Aldrin Morante.

Alfred Estinopo had 12 points while Vince Salonga and Kane Montecalvo chipped in with 11 points.

In the first game, AIMS stunned Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite, 80-74, for its second straight win.

Jerico Peralta, who scored 23 points against ICC last Friday, finished with 16 points, while Mark Reyes contributed 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds for coach Kiko Flores.

Karlos Lapira, Vince Waminal, and Ric Munsayac each contributed eight points.

Ken Quillao scored 15 points, while CJ Quirap contributed 12 points in the losing effort for coach Azlie Guro-mentored EAC-Cavite.

Meanwhile, Olivarez College narrowly escaped St. Dominic College of Asia, 52-51.

John Umali led the balanced scoring for Olivarez, finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds. Rodel Renon contributed nine points and five rebounds, while Dan Arches added seven points for coach Michael Saguiguit.

Didoy Proel led SDCA’s effort in the loss with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Russel Bunacan and Edward Daquioag contributed seven and six points, respectively.

Meanwhile, the tournament resumes on Wednesday with a heavy four-game bill also at the Bestlink Gymnasium in Quezon CIty.

It will DLSU-Dasmariñas against ICC at 8 a.m.; SDCA against PMMS at 10 a.m.; Univesity of Luzon against AIMS at 12 noon ; and PATTS against Bestlink College of the Philippines at 2 p.m.