Leomer Losentes and Filipino American hotshot Chris Pacana found the right moment to shine Friday as their timely baskets carried Saint Francis of Assisi College to their seventh crown in the 13th National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) men’s basketball championships at the San Andres gym in Manila.
The Doves pulled off a 76-72 victory over Arellano University in Game 3 of their best-of-three title showdown with the help of Losentes, who scored 21 points, including two free throws with 42 seconds left that handed the Doves a 10-point edge late in the game.
Christopher Concepcion banged in 15 points, including a free throw with 26 ticks to go, assuring Saint Francis the four-point victory over the Flaming Arrows.
Pacana, a prized recruit from Los Angeles, chalked up 13 points and sank two freebies off Alfie Martinez’s foul, allowing the Doves to move safely ahead at 75-70.
"I‘m proud of the guys. They were determined to get back the trophy, to get back the championship they lost last year," said Doves coach Gabby Velasco.
The Doves won their sixth crown two years ago, but were not able to defend it when they missed the semifinals last season due to injuries to their key players.
They broke free from a 44-all deadlock after a drive and short jumper by Martin Ilagan. Losentes and Concepcion then strung up three treys, allowing the Doves to take a 61-53 spread at the end of the third period.
Michael Rabor’s jumper off Pacana’s pass with 5:57 left then saw the Doves zoom ahead by 10, 70-60.
Despite the big deficit, the Flaming Arrows refused to let the Doves have an easy time, coming to within three off a pair of triples from Orlando Daroya, before Pacana hit his two freebies to put the Doves to safer grounds anew at 75-70.
Daroya chipped in a game-high 22 points for the Flaming Arrows while Martinez sank 13.
"Experience-wise, they had the edge over us. It’s OK for us that we reached the championship on our second year. It’s a lesson for us to strive more next year," said Flaming Arrows coach Leo Isaac.
The scores:
SAINT FRANCIS 76—Losentes 21, Concepcion 15, Pacana 13, Arroyo 6, Ilagan 6, Leynes 6, Rabor 4, Castanarez 3, Paez 2.
ARELLANO 72—Daroya 22, Martinez 15, Boliver 10, D. Martinez 9, Ciriacruz 8, Darjuan 5, Magcawas 3.
Halftime:38-34.
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