Bestlink College secures third place in NCRAA Season 31

Bestlink College of the Philippines’ women’s and seniors’ teams claimed second runner-up honors in the 31st season of the NCRAA basketball tournament at the CSJDM Complex in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

The Quezon City-based Kalasag and Lady Kalasag teams defeated their counterparts from the  Philippine Merchant Marine School in the battle for third place.

The Kalasag men’s team outplayed the Mariners,94-75,  to secure third place.

Climbing from the bottom of the standings last year, the Kalasag made a strong comeback to finish third overall under head coach Jerich Felipe.

Victor Nuarin led the scoring charge with 17 points on  4-of-8 shooting  from beyond the arc, along with eight rebounds in 31 minutes of play.

John Estanislao and Jedy Dever contributed 15 and 13 points, respectively.

Kobe Ambrocio and JR Estoya chipped in nine points apiece.

For the Las Piñas-based Philippine Merchant Marine School Mariners, coached by Aldrin Morante, Dan Sildo led the losing effort with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds in 35 minutes.

Joaquin Octavio and Dave Bolima added 14 and 13 points, respectively, while Alfred Estinopo scored 10.

In the women’s division, the Lady Kalasag also clinched third place with a 68–57 win over the Lady Mariners, powered by the dynamic duo of Grace Roca and Trisha Bitoy.

Roca registered a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Bitoy tallied 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists.

Despite the loss, Wenn Sediego delivered an all-around performance for the Lady Mariners of coach Ralph Briones, finishing with 18 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.

Diane Castro added 13 points and four rebounds.

In the juniors division, the Integrated School of Science Blue Seals (Junior AIMS) captured third place with a dominant 100-77 victory over the Lyceum of the Philippines University-Laguna Junior Pirates.

Mark Andrada led the Blue Seals with 22 points on an efficient 9-of-11 shooting, along with seven rebounds in just 16 minutes of action for coach Gerald Gonzales. Andrei Zeta and JP Ferrer added 12 and 11 points, respectively, with Zeta also grabbing 15 rebounds.

For the Junior Pirates, coached by John Marco Guanzon, Lui Dapan and MJ Lejano paced the offense with 15 points each.

Dapan added nine rebounds, while Lejano had five.

Gab Atienza contributed 12 points and eight rebounds in the losing effort.