Patriots, Mariners down rivals, share lead in 7th ISAA cagefest

PWU Patriots coach Vic Lazaro with players. INQUIRER Photo

Philippine Women’s University shocked last year’s finalist La Consolacion College-Manila, 63-48, while defending champion Philippine Merchant Marine School downed PATTS College of Aeronautics, 89-80 to share the early lead last Tuesday in the 7th Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association basketball tournament.

The sizeable crowd at the Manila Tytana Colleges in Pasay City became silent as the Patriots threw the Blue Royals’ offense in disarray with a tiring defense from start to finish.

‘‘We were very patient with our defense. My players never let up,’’ said PWU mentor Vic Lazaro, a former Jose Rizal University Heavy Bomber in the NCAA.

The Patriots thus upped their record to 2-0, same record of the Mariners, who are gunning for their fourth title in seven seasons.

Swingman Domark Matillano scattered 26 points, while Reygie Debulcos erupted with 13 points as PMMS made a successful follow-up to its conquest of St. Dominic College of Asia in the opener last August 19 at Cuneta Astrodome.

Bothered no end by PWU’s stifling defense, LCC-M gunner John Daryl Solomon scored with 12 points but not after missing eight of his 10 attempts from the three-point area.

“I didn’t know what happened to my players. They played without their usual intensity. It seemed they have heavy legs,” said LCC-M asssistant mentor Ryan de Ramos, who subbed for head coach Bong dela Cruz.

De la Cruz, who is also head coach of the University of Santo Tomas Tigers, attended the UAAP press conference.

While the Blue Royals’ offense sputtered, the Patriots worked perfectly behind the blazing guns of Dave Tecson, Jeric Serrano, Ferdinand Misajon, Mico Pallares and Christian Estevez.

The Patriots greeted the Blue Royals with a crippling 17-5 attack at the start. They never relinquished the lead as the Blue Royals groped for form till the end.

PWU held La Consolacion scoreless for seven minutes in the third period before Angelo Quinlog and Thurlough Grealy scored six straight points.