Doves foil Arrows for 7th crown

Leomer Losentes and Fil-American cager Chris Pacana found the right moment to shine yesterday at the San Andres gym as their timely baskets carried the St. Francis of Assisi College Doves to their seventh crown in the 13th National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) men’s basketball championships.

Losentes showed the way with 21 points, including two free throws with 42 seconds left to play which handed the Doves a 10-point edge en route to a 76-72 victory over the Arellano University Flaming Arrows in Game 3 of their best-of-three title showdown.

Christopher Concepcion banged in 15 points, including a free throw with 26 ticks to go in the rubber match, ensuring the Doves’ four-point victory over Flaming Arrows.

Pacana, a prized recruit from Los Angeles, California, chalked up 13 points and sank two charities off Alfie Martinez’s foul, allowing the Doves to move safely ahead at 75-70.

"I’m proud of the guys. They were determined to get back the trophy, to get back the championship they lost last year," said Doves coach Gabby Velasco.

The Doves won their sixth crown two years ago, but were not able to defend it when they missed the semifinals last season due to injuries to their key players.

They broke free from a 44-all deadlock following a drive and short jumper by Martin Ilagan. Losentes and Concepcion then strung up three treys, allowing the Doves to take a 61-53 spread at the end of the third period.

Michael Rabor’s jumper off Pacana’s pass with 5:57 left then saw the Doves zoom ahead by 10, 70-60.

Despite the big deficit, the Flaming Arrows refused to crack up and stalked the Doves, narrowing the gap to three points off a pair of triples from Orlando Daroya, 70-73 before Pacana hit his two free throws to put the Doves to safer grounds anew at 75-70.

Daroya chipped in a game-high 22 points for the Flaming Arrows while Martinez sank 13.

"Experience-wise, they were better but we’re fortunate to have gained the championship on our second year. Lesson sa amin ito to strive hard for the next NCRAA," said Flaming Arrows coach Leo Isaac.