Doves don’t fly low, go out for crown vs elite

Don’t be deceived by their names, these Doves are no softies.

With Twin Towers 6-foot-6 Ranidel de Ocampo and 6-foot-7 Ervin Sotto at the helm, the St. Francis of Assisi Doves looked more like the dreaded pterodactyls of the Jurassic era.

St. Francis, the most dominant team in the collegiate rank today with due respect to UAAP and NCAA squads, is the favorite to lord it over in this year’s Champions’ League.

And for good reason.

The Doves are untouchables in two leagues they are playing in – the NCRAA and the UCAA.

They have yet to taste a loss in the two-year old UCAA and after sweeping the NCRAA early this year, went on to win their fourth straight National Student Basketball Championship title, beating University of the East in the final, 99-97.

Now the Doves are in the Jurassic mode again, preying on the Falcons of Adamson in the Sweet 16 and the Pelicans of University of Assumption-Pampanga in the Big Eight.

In their 62-55 win over the Falcons, de Ocampo had 19 points and 14 rebounds while Sotto fired three three-pointers to spark their fourth quarter breakaway and finished with 17. Ace playmaker Al Vergara also shone in the opener with 14 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.

Sotto didn’t suit up against the Pelicans because of his PBL commitment, but de Ocampo’s 26 markers proved enough for the Doves to romp off with an 83-74 triumph and gain a Final Four berth.

NCAA power San Sebastian College also advanced in the Final Four after a pair of pulsating wins against less heralded foes.

The Stags first escaped an 86-85 squeaker over University of Manila before rallying past CESAFI champion University of Visayas, 87-80.

The Doves await the winner in the Big Eight clash of UAAP king Far Eastern U and NCAA champion Letran while the Stags take on the victor between Ateneo and Holy Cross of Davao College, conqueror of last year’s Champions’ League winner UE.