DEFENDING champion Immaculada Concepcion College rode on the hot hands of Alfred Flores to bring down Olivarez College, 80-74, in the 30th NCRAA (National Capital Region Athletic Association) at Brittany covered court in Fairview, Quezon City.

Flores erupted for 30 points, including five three-pointers, and added seven assists in 35 minutes of action as the Blue Hawks of coach Ogie Gumatay ended their elimination round campaign with a 7-3 win-loss record.

Paul Gadin added 18 points and four assists while Totoy Ramirez contributed with 10 points and six rebounds for the Blue Hawks.

Dan Arches paced the Sea Lions of coach Mike Saguiguit with 17 points, five assists and four rebounds in 33 minutes of action.

MJ Gallano added 16 points and nine rebounds, followed by Iverson Aquiatan with 12 points and seven rebounds.

It was a tight ball game from start to finish with 17 lead changes and nine ties.

With the score tied at 64-all at the start of the fourth quarter, the Blue Hawks outscored the Sea Lions, 16-10, to seal the victory to the delight of a big crowd that included ICC president Marco Agana and other top school officials.

Hanz Maycong opened the final period with a two-pointer, before Jeremy Delos Santos and Gadin scored five points to give the Blue Hawks a 69-66 lead.

Rodel Renon answered back with back-to-back jumpers to give the Sea Lions a one-point lead, 70-69. Jared Vento’s layup and Flores’ triple then pushed the Blue Hawks ahead anew, 74-70, with 3:10 remaining.

After Flores was whistled for a technical foul, Arches sank a free throw to cut the deficit to three, 74-71, with 2:17 left

Shortly after, a corner three-pointer by Gadin, extended the Blue Hawks’ lead to six points, 77-71, with 1:51 remaining.

Gallano was fouled and split his free throws, grabbed the offensive rebound but missed his put-back. Flores was also fouled and hit one of his free throws to make it 78-72 with 1:11 left.

Olivarez was still at it after Arches made two of three free throws to make 74-78 with still 44 seconds remaining.

Flores missed a three-pointer, Gallano secured the rebound, and Gadin blocked Gallano’s shot, leading to a wide-open lay-up by Ramirez to seal the game at 80-74 with 20 seconds left.

ICC completed a twin kill by dominating Lyceum of the Philippines University – Laguna junior Pirates, 80- 51, in the juniors division.

Jim Corpuz led the Junior Blue Hawks with a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds in 31 minutes of action for coach Speedy Gonzales.

John Morales added 16 points, followed by Hanz Candido and Jai Mallari with 11 points each and Peabonel Sacro with 10 points.

Sean Berboso, Lloys Vicente and Nuro Medrano led the losing effort for the Laguna-based juniors Pirates of coach Eduardo Montierro.

Berboso finished with 10 points, Vicente added 10 points and nine rebounds and Medrano had 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.

The scores:

Juniors

ICC (80) — Corpuz 21, Morales 16, Candido 11, Mallari 11, Sacro 10, Garing 6, Arellano 5, Candid 0, Bajala 0
LPU-Laguna (51) — Berboso 10, Vicente 10, Medrano 10, Teoc 8, Atienza 6, Oronico 4, Laloon 3, Bernardo 0, Aguinaldo 0, Goco 0.
Quarterscores: 23-6, 42-20, 58-33, 80-51.

Seniors

ICC (80) — Flores 30, Gadin 18, Ramirez 10, Ibarra 6, Monares 5, Joaquin 4, Delos Santos 3, Vento 2, Lopez 2, Alicum 0, Seniedo 0.
Olivarez (74) — Arches 17, Gallano 16, Aquiatan 12, Maycong 8, Renon 6, Umali 6, Barbero 4, Jungco 3, De Leon 2, Escalante 0, Haiber 0, Dulalia 0.
Quarterscores: 21-19, 40-41, 64-64, 80-74.