Doves enter national studes quarterfinals

LEGAZPI CITY — Employing a frontline as imposing as nearby Mt. Mayon, St. Francis of Assisi zoomed past University of Mindanao, 90-59, to barge into the quarterfinals of the Inter-collegiate side of the 57th National Students Basketball Championships at the Albay Astrodome here.

Ranidel de Ocampo, Jeffrey Mella and Irvin Sotto practically made the shaded area their own playground even as their smaller men frolicked from the outside as the Doves padded a 55-24 halftime spread to 81-38 after three quarters.

The Las Piñas-based dribblers then easily coasted to the win, easing off on scoring to allow the Wildcats to come to within 41 at the end of the contest.

The win, a follow-up on their 84-38 conquest of University of Perpetual Help of Rizal-Laguna, sent the Doves into the quarterfinal round on a 2-0 card, while dropping the UM Wildcats at the bottom after two straight losses.

"We are at a stage where we are experimenting with different offensive patterns. We’ll definitely go for the win tomorrow," said St. Francis coach Gabby Velasco.

The Doves, who won the last three stagings of the inter-collegiate side of the tournament sponsored by YKL Films, Cebuana Lhuillier, Spring Cooking Oil, Molten, Burlington, Baker’s Fair and Healthy Options, are poised to sweep Group B when they play Luzon University today at 4 p.m. in another heavy schedule which will also pit UNM vs UPHR-Laguna at 1 p.m., Bicol College vs AUF at 2:30 p.m., UV against Philippine Maritime Institute at 5:30 p.m. and host Divine Word College of Legazpi against Southern City College at 7 p.m.

Al Vergara led all Doves with 18 points, while Roy Billanes added 14. Mella and De Ocampo had 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Eman Samigue led the Wildcats with 18 points, while Christian Coquilla added 15.

In the lone women’s game held late Monday night, Lyceum University rolled past University of Mindanao, 111-69, behind Joan Grajales’ 33 points.