The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Robert Andaya
It will be a title rematch in the NCRAA Season 31 between defending champion Immaculada Concepcion College and runner-up De La Salle University – Dasmariñas at the CSJDM Sports Complex.
The championship showdown is scheduled on June 17 — right after the battle for third place in the women’s and juniors divisions.
The Caloocan-based Blue Hawks are gunning for a rare three-peat, while the Dasmariñas-based Patriots are eyeing their first title after falling short last year.
The ICC-DLSU title rematch came after both teams defeated their respective semifinal opponents.
The Ogie Gumatay-mentored Blue Hawks advanced to the championship after bringing down Philippine Merchant Marine School, 104-89, during their semifinal clash at the Ugnayang La Salle Gymnasium in Cavite last Monday.
The Tito Reyes’ Patriots secured their finals berth by surviving a gritty challenge from Bestlink College of the Philippines, 87-82, in their own semifinal matchup.
Alred Flores, who erupted for 35 points including 7-of-11 in the three-point territory, while also grabbing eight rebounds and seven assists to lead the Blue Hawks’ in scoring.
Totoy Ramirez and Joshua Bulante backed him up with 23 and 16 points, respectively. Ramirez also had eight assists and six rebounds while Bulante had six rebounds.
Felix Corpuz and Paul Lopez also contribute with 11 and 9 points, respectively.
The Rogelio Calagos, on the other hand, led the Patriots against Kalasag after finishing with 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting on top of eight assists, six rebounds and five steals, who played for 35 minutes of action.
Joriel Nicandro added 16 points and eight rebounds, followed by Gio Santiago with 14 points, Ronroy Bunda with 12 points and JL Rasonable with nine points and 11 rebounds.
PJ Delos Santos chipped in with nine points.
In the battle for third, the PMMS Lady Mariners will face off against the Bestlink Lady Kalasag at 9:00 a.m.
In the junior division, the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) Junior Blue Sharks will take on the Lyceum of the Philippines University Junior Pirates at 10:30 a.m.
In the senior division, the PMMS Mariners will go head-to-head with the Bestlink Kalasag at 12 noon.
In the winner-take-all championship matches for the women’s and junior divisions:
The La Salle-Dasma Lady Patriots are hoping to secure back-to-back titles against the Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite Lady Vanguards.
The ICC Junior Blue Hawks are also aiming for consecutive championships as they face the EAC-Cavite Junior Vanguards.