St. Francis earns seat in NCRAA cage final

St. Francis College dominated Rizal Technological University from start to finish and ran away with a 78-63 victory yesterday to advance to the finals of the National Capital Region Athletics Association (NCRAA) at the Pearl Plaza gym.

With former national youth standout Ranidel de Ocampo at the forefront of St. Francis offense, the fancied Doves seized control early as they raced to a 32-13 lead in the first 10 minutes of the contest and never looked back.

The 6-foot-5 De Ocampo scored 13 of his team-high 21 points during that big first quarter surge by the Doves.

By winning their 16th straight game, including 15 in the elims, the Doves likewise stayed on track of winning the championship with an unbeaten mark, a feat they did in 1996.

The Doves will meet the winner in the other Final Four match pitting Lyceum against Colegio de San Lorenzo, with the second-ranked Griffins needing to win just once over their No. 3 rivals the Pirates.

SFAC’s junior team actually made it a double celebration for the school after advancing to the finals with an 87-78 win over Olivarez College. It will face CDSL in the title series after the Baby Griffins edged San Sebastian College of Cavite, 73-72.

In women’s play, RTU forged a sudden death with La Salle after the Rizalenas won by default.