St. Francis goes for first UCLAA title

MANILA, Philippines - Host St. Francis of Assisi College goes all out for a repeat over Philippine College of Criminology today as it tries to wrap up the championship in the first Universities and Colleges of Luzon Athletic Association (UCLAA) at the San Andres gym in Manila.

The Doves routed the Enforcers, 77-52, in the opener of their best-of-three series at the Rizal Colisem last Thursday and are heavily favored to reassert their domination in their 12:30 p.m. encounter for the crown.

The loss was Enforcers’ first loss this season after sweeping the nine-game elimination round, including a 69-64 victory over St. Francis last Dec. 15 and a win over Las Pinas College in the semifinal round.

Averaging almost 71 points, the Enforcers were limited to their lowest ouput this season in Game One with only Julius Manalo managing to score in double digits with 11 points.

“Defense will again be the key,” said St. Francis coach Gabby Velasco. “We hope to finish the series because anything can happen if we reach Game 3. PCCr is a tough opponent.”

Meanwhile, the PCCr junior squad also guns for a sweep of the title against St. Jude College at 11 a.m.

The junior Enforcers, unbeaten in seven games with a whooping average winning margin of 42 points, took Game 1, 86-70.

Mang Inasal, Air21, Besuto prawn crackers, Villa De Oro Boracay, Magarbo, Magnolia, Basketbolista Magazine and www.gameface.ph are the chief backers of the inaugural UCLAA season.