Ol’Aces hand Shirley’s second loss

Ol’Aces had all of its five starters finish in double figures in beating Shirley’s Coffee Shop/Blue Hauz, 115-101, in Wednesday’s game in the FMI Inter-Color Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The win was the third straight for Ol’Aces, which is powered by current and former CNMI National youth and men’s players, to break away from a two-way tie with the Advance X-Terminators (2-0).

It was the Foodmakers’ second consecutive loss after a 2-0 start dropping their record to an even 2-2 card. Shirley’s first loss was a 112-115 setback against the X-Terminators on April 9.

CNMI Junior Nationals standout Jericho Cruz spearheaded Ol’Aces’ offensive might, scoring 18 of his game-high 31 points in the second half to help his team snap out of a 55-all deadlock at halftime.

Abong Camacho and Fred Pelisman provided the needed scoring support for Cruz, netting 23 and 20 points, while Marvin Rabauliman, who is Cruz’s teammate in the CNMI Junior Nationals, tallied 14 more.

Pete Iguel, scoreless in the first three quarters, exploded for 10 points in the fourth period, hitting timely baskets when the Foodmakers were making a comeback.

Elmer Esdrelon, who was named the finals most valuable player of the recently concluded 2nd Annual HANMI Cup, finished with 29 points to lead the scoring for the Foodmakers.

Ryan Sanciangco, who is Esdrelon’s teammate in HANMI Cup champions Fiesta-Grand Hotel, added 28 points, while Tinian’s John Santos chipped in 22 more. Santos played for Ol’Aces for many years in the Budweiser Cup.

Steve Rasa scattered 10 points also for Shirley’s Coffee Shop/Blue Hauz.

The second game between Price Costco and SMF Seabridge was interrupted by a scheduled power outage after the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. implemented another load shedding on Wednesday night.

Power went out at 7:10pm when the Storemasters’ Ivan De Vero was about to shoot two free throws off a foul from SMF’s Gary Cayetano with one minute and 18 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

SMF was also leading the Storemasters, 18-15, before Cayetano fouled De Vero.

Last Sunday, Warren Villegas scored 16 points, while Sonny Ebuen and Martin Moreno had 15 apiece to lead Bank of Saipan to a 75-72 win over the Fixers in the Masters Over-40 division.

In the second game, the Taga Warriors leaned on Elmer Pineda’s 28 markers in a 95-78 triumph against CTSI/Tan Holdings Pacers.

Jun Abedes had 17 points, while Ed Cosino and Romel Dizon contributed 14 each also for the Warriors.

Ol’Aces 115 – Cruz 31, Camacho 23, F. Pelisiman 20, Rabauliman 14, P. Iguel 10, Rangamar 8, L. Iguel 4, Nedlic 3, R. Pelisiman 2.

Shirley’s Coffee Shop/Blue Hauz 101 – Esdrelon 29, Sanciangco 28, Santos 22, Rasa 10, Barbo 4, Guiab 4, Marasigan 3, Mercurio 1.

Scoring by quarters: 29-34, 55-55, 81-69, 115-101.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Jess Pabula.