MANILA, Philippines - The Technological Institute of the Philippines Engineers leaned on their fastbreak plays to turn back the Emilio Aguinaldo College-Dasmariñas Presidents, 90-80, yesterday at their homecourt at the TIP-Casal gymnasium in Quiapo, Manila.
Their third straight victory enabled the Engineers to grab the solo lead in the 17th National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) men’s basketball tournament.
Rap Garcia showed the way for the Engineers with 19 points in this cagefest supported by Mikasa and Molten Balls.
His timely baskets in the first and fourth quarters enabled the Engineers to preserve an 11-point advantage for most of the game.
“The last three games have been good for us. Our defense clicked and we had a lot of fastbreaks against them,” said TIP coach Emil Arroyo.
The Philippine Merchant Marine School Mariners bounced back from their 64-80 setback to the Engineers last Monday with a 67-48 crushing of the La Salle-Dasmarinas Patriots.
Roger Malig-On topscored with 14 points in leading the Mariners to their third triumph in four matches.
Meanwhile, the Olivarez College Sea Lions posted their second straight at the expense of the Rizal Technological University Blue Thunders, 80-76, at the EAC-Dasmarinas gymnasium in Cavite in a Wednesday game.
In same playdate, the Dasmarinas Presidents came away with their first triumph in four outings at the expense of the Philippine School of Business Administration Jaguars, 83-76.