DCCA, PSS continue to roll

Powerhouse teams Public School System and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs continued their winnings ways Monday evening in the 2004 Government Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

PSS got away from a sticky situation in the first half by outscoring Commonwealth Ports Authority 25-12 in the third and cruised to a 97-67 win in the curtain raiser.

CPA were all business in the first two quarters, as wingmen Edgar Pangelinan and Charlie Sablan filled up the score sheet, accounting for 11 and 7 points, respectively, to forge a 40-40 deadlock at halftime.

But that was it for CPA, as PSS put on a shooting and defensive tutorial in the beginning of the second half that left the flyers biting their dust.

Former national player Gary Lashley was front and center of the attack, scoring 6 points in the third and adding another 8 in the fourth to lead PSS to the victory.

Gabriel White, another player who used to don the national colors, and 6’3” gunner Taj Van Burren also did their part in the second half surge of PSS.

White hanged 9 of his 18 points after the break, while Van Buuren ripped the nets with 10 of his 16, as CPA just didn’t stood a chance.

Lashley tied White’s 18 for game-high honors. In all, five PSS players finished in double figures.

Pangelinan had another good game come to waste with 21 markers. Jerome Reyes and Charlie Sablan added 12 and 10 points in the loss.

In the second game, DCCA literally toyed with Procurement and Supply, at times playing two women on the floor, and won handily 101-81.

After wrapping up the first quarter, 14-10, DCCA had some fun by giving Connie Camacho and Jovie Omar extended minutes on the floor in the second.

For a while, it worked brilliantly as DCCA continued to enjoy a big lead with the two women even making their contributions on offense. Only a late-quarter rally by P&S knocked DCCA back to their senses and the first five was back on the floor.

DCCA would only lead 41-36 at the half but it was an all new world come the second half, as DCCA went back to its fast-breaking and in-your-face defense and the spread was again back to double digits.

Joey Dela Cruz momentarily exchanged his baseball spikes for high-tops and was equally good, scoring 13 of his game-high 28 points in the third.

It was all over but the shouting as the fourth and final quarter unfolded. DCCA tried its best to have all its players make it to the score column, while CPA tried its darnest to make the final score more respectable—both teams were successful.

Camacho, Elias Rangamar, Ben Peliseman, Tony Rogolofoi, and Mario Sablan all scored in double figures for DCCA, while Bruise Brothers John and Jack Palacios pumped in 25 and 14 points for P&S.

First Game

PSS 97 – Lashley 18, White 18, Van Burren 16, P. Mendiola 15, F. Mendiola 11, Gross 10, Blondin 6, Villagomez 3.

CPA 67 – E. Pangelinan 21, Reyes 12, Sablan 10, Guerrero 8, Muna 6, Cabrera 5, J. Pangelinan 3, Eliasar 2.

Scoring by quarters: 24-19, 40-40, 65-52, 97.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Nick Castro.

Second Game

DCCA 101 – Dela Cruz 28, Rangamar 12, Peliseman 10, Camacho 10, Rogolofoi 10, Sablan 10, Tenorio 4, Omar 4, Tagabuel 3.

P&S 81 – Jo. Palacios 25, Ja. Palacios 14, Duenas 12, Guerrero 11, Diaz 9, Reyes 7, Iglecias 2, Blanco 1.

Scoring by quarters: 24-10, 41-36, 75-54, 101-81.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Mike White.