Unbeaten Doves nail lucky 13

Defending champion St. Francis survived its toughest test yet in the 10th National Capital Region Athletics Association (NCRAA) men’s basketball tournament, escaping with a 91-82 win in overtime over a gutsy Philippine Maritime Institute side Tuesday night at the San Andres Gym.

The Doves needed a decisive 12-3 run in the final period to finally put away the game that was close all throughout.

Irvin Sotto and Lyndon Ablan made that scoring binge possible, ensuring the two-time defending champions keep their unbeaten slate with their fifth straight win in the quarterfinals of the meet which has Airfreight 21, Vila de Oro-Boracay and www.universitybelt.com/ncraa as sponsors.

In all, the Doves have won 13 straight games dating back to the eliminations. They try to stretch the streak against San Sebastian College of Cavite which they meet today in the main game of a heavy six-game bill. A win in the 12 noon encounter will have St. Francis earning at least a playoff for a semis berth.

Ranidel de Ocampo paced St. Francis with 24 points while Igor Mella added 14.

Following the win, the Doves found themselves at the top following the upset pulled off by Colegio de San Lorenzo over previously unbeaten Lyceum, 77-74, the other day.