Cops handcuff media in dual meet

POLICE regional office Cordillera stifled members of the PNP Press Corps Cordillera to win the over-all championship in their dual meet.

The law enforcers made sure they got back at media this time by winning the basketball title in a 80-74 victory at the Cooyeesan basketball gym with Julito Rabena and non-uniformed personnel Jericho Junio scoring 17 and 16 points apiece.

It was actually the press corps which waxed hot early in the ball game posting a commanding 13-30 lead at the close of the first period with Kerby Rillera and Rudy Vergara scoring at will.

But things turned pale for the mediamen as members of the PNP scored a 15-0 run to trim the lead by five, 25-30 midway in the second period before closing the halftime with a 41 all count.

It was then a see-saw battle all the way as in the third period but the law enforcers closed out the third period with 66-60 advantage.

The press corps then stormed back to life in the payoff canto as it wrested the lead momentarily, 72 – 70, halfway in the fourth period but the PNP outplayed the mediamen in the last four minutes of the ballgame to secure the lead and seal the win.

Richard Aguinse added 10 points for the PRO-Cor unit which wrested the basketball crown after failing to win it way back in 2010.

Rillera topped the mediamen with 18 points while Doddie Mendillo chipped in 17 as Vergara came home with 14 points.

Migs Velarde and Edong Carta added 13 and 10 points each for the press corps’ cause.

Inspired by their big win in the basketball event, members of the PROCor also bagged the championship in the singles and doubles event in badminton.

Not to be outdone, the mediamen won the shooting and chess competitions.