7th ISAA opens with a bang; PMMS, La Consolacion-Manila score

St, Dominic and PMMS. Photo by Diego Mariano/Inquirer Libre trainee.

Three-time champion Philippine Merchant Marine School leaned on its three-man wrecking crew to humble St. Dominic College of Asia, 73-60, Wednesday at the start of the 7th Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the jampacked Cuneta Astrodome.

The Mariners leaned on league MVP Jess Nicole Quilatan, Reygie Debulcos and Rocky Antonares to neutralize the hard-fighting Red Pikes, who unveiled the high-jumping Nigerian Obinna Ezeike.

Ezeike finished with a double-double performance of 13 points and 11 rebounds but failed to get able support from his teammates, who bungled easy shots and committed miscues in the face of the Mariners in-your face defense.

In the second game, last year’s runnerup La Consolacion College-Manila downed hard-fighting Manila Tytana Colleges, 65-57. The Blue Royals played minus head coach Bong dela Cruz, who was at sick bay. Assistant mentor Ryan de Ramos handled LCCM which led from start to finish against the smaller Titans.

“I’ve lost my wingmen and we have newcomers in the squad. I think we need to work very hard because the other teams are strong,” said PMMS mentor Aldrin Morante.

Debulcos finished with 14 points, while Quilatan had 10 aside from masterfully orchestrating the Mariners smooth offensive flow. Antonares barreled his way to eight points.

Burly playmaker Elvin Chan also sizzled as he erupted with 14 points. He also got into the head of the 6-foot-2 Ezeike, who got bombarded by shouts of disapproval from the Mariners camp.

True to form, the ISAA composed of host PMMS, FEATI, Philippine Women’s University, Manila Tytana Colleges, Manila Adventist Medical Center and Colleges, St. Dominic College of Asia, La Consolacion and guest school Philippine Air Transport and Training Service (PATTS) School of Aeronatics filled the Astrodome with animated students, who cheered their respective schools.

Hall of Famer Ronnie Magsanoc, also a member of the PBA’s 25 greatest players, gained thunderous applause when he recalled his struggles as a young player with Benjie Paras.

“The values that you learned from sports will help you. Try to be the best,” said the 49-year-old Magsanoc

The PMMS cultural group from Customs Administration and Manila Tytana’s Nightingale Society Case Closed regaled the crowd with their performances.

ISAA President Melanie Florentino of FEATI declared the season open.

2015 MS ISAA Rizalyn Diuyan of Philippine Merchant Marine School. Edwin Bacasmas

Among the luminaries present were Dr. Antonio Abacan, Francis Sebastian and Sergio Cao of Manila Tytana Colleges and SDAC’s Greg Andaman.

Rizalyn Diuyan, a statuesque beauty from PMMS, won the hotly-contested Miss ISAA contest judged by Magsanoc and model Fabio Ide. Jocel Paderon of St. Dominic finished second, while Alysun dela Cruz of Manila Tytana was voted Ms. Photogenic and Ms. Congeniality.