Patriot cagers suffer 2nd loss despite Mojica’s double-double in NCRUCLAA, 70-81

The Patriots led only in the opening minute of the first quarter and then trailed away until the endgame against the Colegio de San Lorenzo Griffins (CDSL) despite forward Egie Boy Mojica’s 13 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and one block during the National Capital Region Universities and Colleges of Luzon Athletic Association (NCRUCLAA) qualifying round held at the University of Makati gym, February 7.

The Patriots’ ball protection was still out of order, as the 25 turnovers that the green-and-white squad committed proved to be destructive especially in the second half where they were trampled by the Griffins, giving the Quezon City-based squad 24 points from turnovers overall.

In the offensive section, Patriot Pacholo Loor’s three-points went haywire, shooting 2-7, but still produced 12 points together with five rebounds as center Jastine Kyle Amponin contributed 12 points and grabbed five boards.

A few times in the match, Coach Arnold Oliveros dug deep in the bench but failed to zero in a bane to King Genrev Astrero-led Griffins, who marked 20 points, five assists, and three rebounds. Granting the Griffins some help, CSDL’s Louie Andrew Vargas also tallied a double-double with 12 points and snatched 11 off the glass.

Warming up to head over to their fourth game, DLSU-D will try to sail over the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies Blue Sharks at the same gym on February 13 at 2 PM.