DPS, DCCA crush foes • Law enforcers, Artists earn 1st-round byes in playoffs

Behind the sterling performances of Peter Camacho and Elias Saralu, DPS topped Pool A of the Inter-Government Basketball League with a spine-tingling 85-79 overtime win against DPW.

Camacho hit two free throws with four ticks remaining in the clock to knot the count at 70 all at the end of regulation. He then conspired with Saralu to score 14 of their team’s last 15 points in extension to hack out the win against DPW.

Camacho ended up with 20 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 block shots. Saralu topped all scorers with 41 points. DPS, who was without starting center Abong Camacho, also got 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals from Nobert Mattao.

John Guerrero’s 24 points and 7 rebounds and Dave Camacho’s 15 points and a game high 19 rebounds led DPW’s losing cause. Frank Torres also chipped in 16 points and 6 rebounds.

On a match-up of two previously undefeated teams in Pool B, DCCA had to overcome a furious fourth quarter rally by PSS to win 85-71 and claim the pennant title.

DCCA stormed from the gates to end the first quarter with a 34-17 lead behind Ed Diaz. From then on it was an uphill battle for PSS. However, late in the fourth PSS’s money man Mark Rozic caught fire and helped his team to cut DCAA’s margin by a single digit, 63-55.

But that proved to be the closest PSS would come to DCCA’s lead as Diaz and veteran Tony Rogolifoi countered to preserve the win. Diaz led all scorers with 34 points, spiked by 9 rebounds and 6 steals. Rogolifoi added a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Wayne Pua also had a well-rounded game finishing with 8 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals and 5 assists for DCCA.

PSS was led by Rozic’s 31 points and 13 rebounds. He was ably supported by Jack Palacios’ 18-point, 11-rebound effort.

By topping their respective divisions with the win, DPS and DCCA availed themselves of a first-round bye in the playoffs which are slated to start on March 26.

In other matches, DEQ fashioned out a 71-68 overtime win against Procurement and Supply behind the superb all-around game of Jay Morisheta. Morisheta finished the game with 24 points, 20 rebounds, 5 steals and 5 assists.

Credit for DEQ’s win also goes to Morisheta’s teammate Kevin Casto who converted a shot from rainbow territory to send the game into overtime. Casto finished with 20 points and 8 rebounds. Procurement and Supply’s losing cause was bannered by James Camacho and Ray Palacios, who scored 11 points and 9 points respectively.