Doves thwart Arrows, near NCRAA title

Multi-titled St. Francis of Assisi used its vast experience to frustrate first time finalist Arellano University, 74-61, in Game 1 of the 13th National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) best-of-three men’s basketball championship.

The Doves’ speed and energy level were just too much for the Flaming Arrows to handle in the fourth period, allowing the six-time titlists to secure the victory and move to within a win shy of securing their seventh NCRAA title.

St. Francis, which is playing in its 11th championship appearance in the league, shoots for the jugular at 1 p.m. today against Arellano U at the San Andres gym.

"They (Flaming Arrows) were really trying to slow us down with their pressure and trapping defense. Pero, attack lang kami nang attack," said Doves coach Gabby Velasco.

The Flaming Arrows came charging back from a nine-point halftime deficit, with Tylon Darjuan and Alfie Martinez leading a 13-0 run as Arellano U forced two deadlocks, the last at 48-all.

After Lee Boliver turned the ball over with a bad pass, the Doves unleashed a decisive 8-3 spurt in the third quarter, with Martin Ilagan clustering six points and handing St. Francis a 56-51 edge at the end of the period.

With 6-foot-2 big man Raffy Ynion helping out underneath, Michael Rabor and Leomer Losentes starred in the Doves’ biggest offensive run in the fourth as St. Francis took a huge 70-55 spread with only 3:13 remaining in the game.

Ilagan powered the Doves with 23 points while Fil-American wingman Chris Pacana delivered 11 points. Losentes had 10.

Darjuan shot 12 points for the Flaming Arrows, while Martinez contributed 11.

Meanwhile, Erwin Punzalan shot 21 points while Chris Sandoval banged in 14 points as St. Francis took third place in the junior side with a 94-63 stopping of Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

In the senior division’s battle for third, six-foot-six slotman Jeff Khalili hit seven of the game’s last 12 points in the last three minutes to lead Polytechnic University of the Philippines to an 83-73 win over La Salle-Dasmariñas.

Khalili unloaded 13 points, the same output of Gener Porio and Eljun Lapera.