Saint Francis of Assisi College came through with a torrid start and dumped host Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, 76-48, in the National Capital Region Universities and Colleges of Luzon Athletic Association (NCR-UCLAA) Basketball Championship held recently at the University of Makati gym.
Saint Francis skipper Paulo Castro set the tone for the team’s massive win as he scored seven in the first quarter to outscore the entire AIMS quintet and put the Doves ahead, 19-6.
It was all the Doves needed to notch their second win in three games as Luke Panero also sizzled from the outside, burying three of the team’s 9 triples.
Castro topscored for the Doves with 21 points aside from tallying three assists to emerge as the best player of the game.
It was a redemption of sorts for the Doves after losing to Colegio de San Lorenzo, 87-67, the last time.
Panero, on the other hand, bucked a scoreless first quarter show to finish with 16 points, five rebounds and the same number of assists to earn raves from coach Gabby Velasco.
Aside from making 48 percent of their field goal attempts, the Doves were also aggressive in both ends, grabbing 49 boards against only 35 for the Blue Sharks.
Velasco also credited the team’s defense for holding the usually hot-scoring Christian Arcenal to just 10 points.
Scores:
SAINT FRANCIS 76 – Castro 21, Parcero 16, Chu 9, Lalata 8, Cruz 5, Madrid 5, Cristobal 4, Manzanilla 3, Lanoy 3, Derama 2, Cenita 0, Guevarra 0, Ceguerra 0.
A I M S 48 – Evangelista 14, Arcenal 10, Roblo 9, Hernandez 4, Moncada 4, Fajardo 3, Pacla 2, Lim 1, Gasgonia 1, Gancayco 0, Javiero 0, Inid 0, Lotoc 0, Alvendia 0.
Quarters: 19-6; 45-16; 58-37; 76-48.