Timothy Matias is keen on following his father’s footsteps.
The young Matias struck with 20 points for the National Capital Region (NCR) as they outplayed an undermanned Central Luzon (CLRAA) side, 86-71, to become Palarong Pambansa’s secondary boys’ basketball champions again on Monday at the University of San Carlos Gym here.
The 16-year-old Matias, whose father Ronnie played for different Philippine Basketball Association squads during his days as a pro, led a decisive 11-0 run in the first three minutes of the third period.
Matias’ contributions earned him the MVP, as NCR regained the crown they lost to the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu last year in Marikina.
“We are back. We won it again. This is where we belong,” quipped Coach Leo Pujante after the game.
CLRAA, bannered by coach Allan Trinidad’s St. Augustine Institute of Pampanga, lost three players, who were thrown out of the game in the last 7:40 of the first quarter with NCR team skipper Alnhumaeri Usop, following a bench-clearing incident.
Usop went after CLRAA cager Benz Abenojar during a scuffle under the boards, and he was ejected with the game with Central three players who entered the court during the commotion, in a game that was later put under protest.
NCR, backed up by players from the Nazareth School-National University, broke away from a 40-38 edge off a triple from Lebron Manding, and Matias’ back-to-back hits.
The Metro Manila cagers, with Miekho Natinga making 11 points, went on to move away, 53-38, in the ensuing plays.
Davao Region settled for the bronze medal following a 75-72 win over Southern Tagalog region’s Lyceum of Batangas.
In the secondary girls’ side, NCR stopped Central Visayas, 65-56, for the crown.
Western Visayas ruled the elementary boys’ action, following a 54-49 stopping of Central Luzon.
NCR also took the secondary boys’ volleyball honors after beating Calabarzon, 27-25, 25-19, 19-25, 28-26, 16-14, at the University of San Jose-Recoletos campus in Basak.
Southern Tagalog spikers won over Northern Mindanao, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, in the fight for the elementary girls’ volleyball honors.
Overall, NCR is in the lead in the final day of action with 69 golds, 55 silvers and 60 bronze medals, while Calabarzon is in second (49-32-43). Western Visayas is in third (43-29-26).
