NMC Proa won its debut in the Lodge No. 179 Brotherhood Basketball League 2013/Docomo Pacific Cup after downing Pacific Islands Club, 70-56, last Tuesday night at at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Rufino Aguon-coached NMC Proa turned a close game to a blowout in the end after PIC collapsed in the first quarter.

PIC was held to three field goals in the fourth canto and was scoreless for about six minutes before making two useless baskets in the homestretch.

PIC’s first field goal came at the 8:45 mark of the fourth period off Ernest Duenas’ 24-second shot clock beating triple. That basket also gave PIC its last taste of the lead, 51-50, before the San Antonio-based squad went on a slump.

While PIC struggled offensively, NMC uncorked a 12-0 run for its first double-digit advantage, 62-51. A Nevin Salem triple at the 3:14 mark of the fourth canto ended PIC’s drought, but he was too late the hero, as NMC was in full control, protecting a 66-54 advantage.

NMC walked away with a 14-point winning margin after playing with a balance offense. Jack Lizama finished with 14 points, Dan Barcinas added 12, Keoni Chariton and Joe Villacrusis chipped in 10 apiece, and Ichitaro Faisao and Quincy Johnson contributed 8 each.

Darwin Barbo paced PIC with his 18 points, but was held to a free throw in the fourth canto, while Salem was the only other PIC player to score in twin digits with 12.

Salem dropped 6 in the first quarter where PIC built an early 8-0 lead before NMC recovered midway in that canto and moved within two, 14-16, after the opening period.

NMC and PIC continued to breathe in each other’s neck in the next two periods before the latter folded up in the payoff canto.

In the first game, KFC/Taco Bell led from start to finish to take the 10-point victory over San Roque.

Mark Brown scored 6 early points and KFC/Taco Bell drew at least one basket each from five other players to erect a 20-12 advantage after the first period. KFC/Taco Bell stretched its lead to 10 at halftime, 37-27, as it continued to spread the wealth in the second canto and the advantage grew bigger in the third, 51-36, after it held San Roque to 9 points. Down by 15 with only one quarter to go, San Roque never made headway in the fourth, allowing KFC/Taco Bell to cruise to the double-digit win.

Juan Camacho top-scored for KFC/Taco Bell with his 12 points, while Angelo Fernando added 10. Four other KFC/Taco Bell players nailed at least 4 points each. Glenn Aquino and Lester Vertudez logged 10 markers apiece to lead San Roque’s losing cause.

First Game

KFC/Taco Bell 65 — Camacho 12, Fernando 10, Brown 8, Devero 6, Pagarao 6, Achas 4, Abuel 4, Manglona 2, Bahillo 2, Francisco 2, Maranan 2.

San Roque 55 — Aquino 10, Vertudez 10, Deleon Guerrero 9, Cadiang 9, Metran 8, Lerio 4, Sacramento 2, Dela Cruz 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-12, 37-27, 51-36, 65-55.

Second Game

NMC Proa 70 — Lizama 14, Barcinas 12, Chariton 10, Villacrusis 10, Johnson 8, Faisao 8, Libuw 6, Babauta 2.

PIC 56 — Barbo 18, Ne. Salem 12, Duenas 9, Demapan 8, Abuy 3, Babauta 2, Ni. Salem 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-16, 29-30, 50-47, 70-56.