Tuesday, August 14, 2007 Iligan Crusaders outlast Ozamiz By Richel V. Umel Lanao correspondent
OZAMIZ CITY -- Iligan City's Crusader team beats Ozamiz City Shrine Cotta team last Saturday night during the National Basketball Conference (NBC) best of three series game 1 with score of 88-83.
Played at Medina College gymnasium, Ozamiz took the lead, 27-21, in the first quarter and sustained this in the third quarter.
However, the Iligan Crusaders changed strategies and led until the end of the last quarter with Bong Marata scoring 21 points and Nat Cruz with 18 points.
Cruz was injured due to an intentional foul at the last quarter.
Sports coordinator Freddie Siao said his office has all-out support from Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz to nurture and build a well-disciplined team to bring the good name of Iligan in all fields of sport events.
Mayor Cruz said the Crusaders will double their efforts in Tuesday's second encounter with Ozamiz City in Game 2 at its home court in Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) gymnasium at 6 p.m.
Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojenog meanwhile said Ozamiz has garnered prestige as a four-time champion of NBC basketball tournament.
Saturday's game was witnessed by Monsignor Jeemar Vera Cruz of Iligan City-Lanao del Norte diocese, Councilor Jose Zalzos, MSU President Ricardo De Leon, and other officials.
