DCCA brings down Labor

Department of Community and Cultural Affairs made sure there would be no undefeated team this season in the 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League, as they downed Department of Labor, 90-79, Thursday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Seeing action in the nightcap, DCCA played possum in the first half and trailed the erstwhile spotless squad in the opening quarter by a deuce, 18-20, and five after 20 the first 20 minutes of the contest, 35-40.

Power forward Steve Rasa was like a human wrecking ball for Labor, as he mocked all defenders assigned to guard him and finished with 20 points at lemon time.

Baseball and softball great Joey Dela Cruz, meanwhile, kept DCCA’s head above water scoring all of his 15 points at the half to keep the game close.

DCCA players had a lot more spring on their steps come the third quarter and made a run at Labor’s lead.

After scoring “just” eight points in the opening half, veteran guard Elias Rangamar came alive in the third, erupting for 10 points as DCCA turned the tables on Labor and transformed a five-point halftime deficit into an eight-point advantage heading into the fourth and final quarter.

Coinciding with Labor’s sudden collapse in the third was a decrease in production from Rasa. The former national player tallied just a bucket in the period and it carried over into the final 10 minutes of the contest, as he only bettered that by two points.

DCCA, for its part, continued its remarkable run and outscored Labor, 26-23, in the fourth to leave with the victory.

Rangamar paced the winners with 25 points, while Dela Cruz, Romeo Iginoef, John Reyes, and Ando Benavente all punched in double figure scores for DCCA.

Rasa still wound up with 26 points to lead DOL. He was backed up by the 17 of center Tim Wesley and the 14 of guard Mitch Aaron.

Both teams are tied in second place along with Public School System (4-1), a half game below Commonwealth Health Center’s league-leading 5-1 slate.

In the opener, Jeff Quitugua led Office of Public Auditor to its second win in four games following a 96-68 rout of hapless Procurement & Supply.

Quitugua scored 24 points for OPA, while swingman Edgar Pangelinan fired 26 to lead P&S, which dropped to 0-6.

First Game

OPA 96 – Quitugua 24, C. Camacho 17, Torres 12, D. Camacho 11, Pangilinan 8, J. Camacho 8, Dela Cruz 6, Joab 6, Sasamoto 4.

P&S 68 – Pangelinan 26, Muna 16, Guerrero 13, Borja 7, Palacios 6.

Scoring by quarters: 20-19, 42-37, 67-54, 96-68.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game

DCCA 90 – Rangamar 25, Dela Cruz 15, Iginoef 14, Reyes 11, Benavente 10, Sablan 9, Tenorio 5, Taisacan 2.

DOL 79 – Rasa 26, Wesley 17, Aaron 14, Fujihira 10, Ayuyu 4, Mostales 4, Poquiz 4.

Scoring by quarters: 18-20, 35-40, 64-56, 90-79.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Gilbert Espinosa.