Rangamar triple lifts DCCA past Bank of Guam

Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Elias Rangamar rarely fired shots from downtown in the second half of their playoff game against Bank of Guam. Actually, he attempted only twice, missing the first one badly.

The second was as clean as a whistle.

Rangamar nailed a booming triple from the top of the key in the dying seconds of the game to give DCCA a thrilling 83-82 victory at the start of the playoffs in the Inaugural PTI Inter-Government/Business Basketball League Thursday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Rangamar’s dagger into BOG’s heart came after the Express’ Randy Pelisamen muffed his two free throws, which could have won the game for his team.

DCCA’s Peter Camacho, whose split free throw cut BOG’s lead to two, 80-82, in the last 15 seconds of the game, gave up a quick foul on a sprinting Pelisamen, who used to play for DCCA.

Pelisamen missed both charities and Camacho grabbed the rebound, quickly crossing the halfcourt line and passing the ball to Taj Van Buren.

Van Buren drove to the right baseline, but Gus Palacios shut the door on him. Van Buren was trapped on the baseline, but still had a presence of mind to kick the ball out to Rangamar, who received the pass with about four seconds left on the clock and released the ball which hit nothing but the bottom of the net.

The Express did not have enough time to take a decent shot in the last play.

Rangamar was hugged by his jubilant teammates, as the DCCA gunner redeemed himself from a previous ill-advised 3-point attempt, going into the last two minutes of the game.

Half of the credit in DCCA’s victory must be given to Camacho, whose eight straight points in a span of three minutes brought his team back into the game after trailing by as much as nine points in the fourth quarter, 76-67.

Camacho completed a 3-point play, making a fastbreak layup and drilling the bonus shot off a Palacios foul to move DCCA within one, 75-76, with 2:14 left on the clock.

David Palacios temporarily stopped the bleeding for BOG, nailing a triple from the left baseline and giving his team a breather, 79-75, going into the last two minutes of the game.

Van Buren made a layup to cut the lead to two, 77-79, and DCCA had a chance to tie the game when BOG missed on its next offensive set. After Gus Palacios muffed his layup, DCCA collared the rebound and went for a fastbreak play with Rangamar, Mario Sablan, and Romeo Iginoef running to their frontcourt.

It was a 3-on-2 situation, favoring DCCA, but instead of driving hard to the basket, Rangamar opted for a triple and missed, with the ball hitting the back of the board.

Villacrusis countered with a triple, increasing BOG’s lead to five, 82-77, with less than a minute left in the game.

DCCA refused to give up as Van Buren made an undergoal stab on a missed triple from Joey Dela Cruz, cutting the Express lead to three, 79-82.

A double dribble violation by Gus Palacios gave the ball back to DCCA, which had another chance to tie the game, but Van Buren muffed his triple.

Camacho got the offensive rebound and was fouled on his way to the basket. He drilled his first free throw, but missed the second for an 82-80 tally, in favor of BOG.

The Express’ James Lee claimed the rebound and passed the ball to Pelisamen, who was fouled by Camacho before he was able to cross the center court.

But Pelisamen failed to can the pressure-packed free throws, giving DCCA a chance to steal the game.

Rangamar seized the opportunity, drilling the game-winning basket.

DCCA 83 – P. Camacho 26, Van Buren 16, Rangamar 14, Iginoef 10, Benavente 6, C. Camacho 5, Dela Cruz 3.

BOG 81 – Villacrusis 36, Pelisamen 15, Taisacan 9, Lee 9, D. Palacios 5, Peters 5, Imperial 2.

Scoring by quarters: 12-16, 34-37, 58-54, 83-82.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Gilbert Espinosa.