Photo by Diego Mariano/Libre trainee
Philippine Air Transport and Training Services (PATTS) College of Aeronautics outgunned last year’s losing finalist La Consolacion College-Manila, 81-63, to keep its 7th Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament finals hopes alive Tuesday at Makati Coliseum.
To make it to the best-of-three title series, the Seahorses must beat three-time champion Philippine Merchant Marine School Mariners twice in the stepladder semifinals.
PMMS enjoys a twice-to-beat advantage after finishing second to early finalist Philippine Women’s University in the eliminations.
The Patriots, looking for their first title, swept the eliminations with a 5-0 win-loss mark, while the Mariners finished with a 4-1 card.
‘‘We just followed our game plan and used our height advantage against the Blue Royals,’’ said PATTS coach Lency Aranzaso.
‘‘PMMS is going to be a very tough opponent but we are very focus and hopefully will win to force a decider,’’ said Aranzaso.
The game is set on September 18 at La Consolacion Gym-Manila.
Jestoni Loyola, Louis Lloyd Capinding, Mark Velasco, Jhon Manansala and Amiel Pimentel erupted in double figures for the Seahorses, who led from start to finish.
With the Blue Royals unable to find their range, the Seahorses posted their biggest lead at 78-48 with five minutes remaining.
Thurlough Grealy and Kevin Marks tried to put La Consolacion into the thick of the fight as they scored 23 and 17 points, respectively but failed to gain support from their teammates especially swingman John Daryl Salomon, who only had three points.
‘‘We got dominated and never recovered after a bad start,’’ rued LCC-Manila assistant coach Ryan de Ramos. De Ramos took over the coaching chores as Bong dela Cruz got tied up with his schedule as head coach of the league-leading UST Tigers in the UAAP collegiate wars.
The Scores
PATTS 81– Loyola 13, Capinding 13, Velasco 12, Manansala 11, Pimentel 10, Orada 8, Cayson 4, Calubag 4, Noble 2, Fandialan 0, Reed 0.
LCC-Manila 63–Grealy 23, Marks 11, Rivota 9, Magwale 6, Quinlog 5, Salomon 3, Yap 2.
Quarterscores: 24-9, 48-27, 69-42, 81-63