By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and Public School System had little trouble beating separate foes in the 2007 Inter-government Basketball League last Wednesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
DCCA downed the Ports Police in the first match, 76-60, while PSS whipped the Department of Corrections, 80-64, in the second game.
Hotshot Taj Van Buren, who played for PSS last year, led DCCA’s 16-point win as he drilled 21 points. Peter Camacho, who is another addition to DCCA’s lineup, chipped in 14 markers. Camacho last played for 2006 runnerup the DPS Enforcers.
Van Buren started things out for DCCA hitting two early triples in the first period. After 10 minutes of play, Van Buren scored 10 markers and gave DCCA a 22-17 lead.
Camacho picked up where Van Buren left off in the second period nailing eight of his total points in that period to keep DCCA in the lead at halftime, 37-30.
DCCA waxed hot from downtown at the start of the second half with Connie Camacho, Wayne Pua and Van Buren connecting on a triple apiece in the third period.
DCCA also played good defense in the third quarter limiting the Ports Police to 11 points to take a 56-41 lead, entering the final canto.
The Ports Police failed to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, as DCCA drew contributions from its bench to win its debut game.
Gary Cabrera and Mike Guerrero led the Ports Police in their losing cause scoring 13 markers apiece.
In the second game, Walter Mendiola and Joel Punzalan fired 19 points apiece to give PSS a good start in the 14-team field.
PSS capitalized on Corrections’ sluggish start to take early control of the match.
The Corrections missed most of its shots scoring only eight points in the first quarter.
Punzalan almost outscored the entire Corrections’ crew making seven of his total points in the first period which ended with PSS up by 10, 18-8.
Corrections picked up the pace in the second quarter nailing 14 points, but Punzalan hit two triples and Mendez added six markers to give the Schoolers a 39-22 halftime lead.
PSS never looked back from thereon with Mendez playing his best game in the fourth quarter scoring 11 markers.
Meanwhile, Army and Proa also won their debut games last Tuesday. Army beat the Enforcers, 66-63, while Proa clobbered Customs, 100-57.
Scores:
(Tuesday)
First Game
Army 66—Aguon 21, Taitano 14, Stole 14, Deleon Guerrero 12, Kaipat 3, Karatel 2.
DPS Enforcers 63—Santos 20, Punimata 20, Kaipat 10, Regis 8, Camacho 3.
Quarterscores: 15-12, 25-27, 45-42, 66-63.
Second Game
Proa 100—T. Diaz 26, Villagomez 12, Aldan 11, Aguon 11, Tomokane 9, Castro 6, J. Diaz 6, Roberto 6, Manalili 6, Manglona 5, Ito 2.
Customs 57—Sablan 26, Cepeda 7, J. P. Sablan 6, Jason Sablan, 5, Arroyo 4, Lizama 3, Reyes 3, Palacios 2.
Quarterscores: 20-7, 45-15, 81-34, 100-57
(Wednesday)
First Game
DCCA 76—Van Buren 21, P. Camacho 14, Dela Cruz 9, T. Camacho 8, C. Camacho 8, Rangamar 7, Sablan 6, Pua 3.
Ports Police 60—Cabrera 13, Guerrero 13, Yu 11, Kaipat 8, R. Borja 6, S. Borja 4, Ilo 3, Maratita 2.
Quarterscores: 22-17, 37-30, 56-41, 76-60
Second Game
PSS 80—Punzalan 19, Mendez 19, Buniag 11, Mendiola 9, Andrew 8, Gross 4, Villagomez 3, Macduff 2.
Corrections 64—Quitugua 12, Joab 12, Blas 11, Castro 8, Sablan 4, Ordonez 4, Kapileo 3, Kaipat 3.
Quarterscores: 18-8, 39-33, 52-35, 80-64