Free throws help Warriors beat Fixers

Steady free throw shooting helped Taga Warriors beat Fixers, 107-89, in the Masters division in the 2008 Friends of the Mariana Islands Inter-Color Basketball League held last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Warriors had a 72 percent clip at the free throw line, going 27-for-37 with veteran center Ed Cosino shooting a team-high 78 percent, making 11 of his 14 shots at the charity stripe.

Cosino also teamed up with fellow veterans Elmer Pineda and Danny Bicera in the second half as the trio used an inside-outside combination in the final 20 minutes of the game to pull away from a tight 42-40 halftime lead.

The three combined for 41 of the Warriors’ 65 points in the second half to help secure the win for the Taga crew. Pineda, aside from his outside scoring, helped set up Bicera and Cosino’s inside incursions as the two veteran cagers powered their way in the shaded area.

Cosino paced the Warriors with 27 points, 16 of which coming in the second half, while Pineda netted 24 markers with Bicera added 21 more. The three also got plenty of scoring support from Eric Dizon’s 13 points.

CNMI Men’s National team coach Rufino Aguon buried nine 3-pointers ending up with 36 points to lead the Fixers’ losing cause as no other player finished in double digits.

Art Salazar, Boy Garcia, George Poquiz, Bobot Alegre, and Robert Tamondong combined for 47 points to support Aguon.

In the second game, Moly Cacho waxed hot early to lift GEC Pawnshop to an 89-74 triumph over the Tan Holdings-CTSI Pacers also in the Masters 40-and-up division.

Cacho scored 24 points for the Pawnbrokers, which led early in the first quarter and was never threatened after that. Sonny “Sunshine” Rañola and Amor Casabuena added 20 and 12 markers also for GEC.

Adonis Macoto scored 21 points for the Pacers, while Ariel Jinang and Ferdie Tobias chipped in 20 and 10 each.

SMF-Seabridge ended its two-game slump after scoring a 105-92 trouncing of Star Water.

Leo Itaas had 28 points to lead four other SMF players who finished in double digits. Meljun “White” Capalad had 17 points. Sonny Lerio and Andy Mortos contributed 12 and 11 more.

Christian Arreza’s 36 points led the Waterkings, who even led at 29-16 after the first quarter, while Gil Gapor added 24 markers and Maclein Achas ending up with 13.

It was also the Waterkings’ second straight loss after suffering a 112-54 blowout from Ol’Aces on April 11.

Taga Warriors 107 – Cosino 27, Pineda 24, Bicera 21, E. Dizon 13, R. Dizon 8, Jacob 8, Banaag 4, Echavez 2.

Fixers 89 – Aguon 36, Salazar 9, Garcia 8, Poquiz 8, Alegre 6, Tamondong 6, Johleno 5, Valencia 5, Concepcion 2, Hideo 2, Irinaka 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-21, 42-40, 75-60, 106-89.

Referees: Jess Pabula and Dado Vistal.

GEC Pawnshop 89 – Cacho 24, Rañola 20, Casabuena 12, Mesa 7, Peredo 6, Viola 6, Culala 5, Buenbajo 4, Olivos 2.

Tan Holdings-CTSI 74 – Macoto 21, Jinang 20, Tobias 10, Solidum 7, Dimaano 6, Salazar 6, Alejandro 2, Galag 1, Ramoran 1.

Scoring by quarters: 23-16, 46-31, 68-49, 89-74.

Referees: Eric Artillaga and Jess Pabula.

SMF Seabridge 105 – Itaas 28, Capalad 17, Bernardo 14, Lerio 12, Mortos 11, Hugos 8, Manansala 8, Delfin 5, Siriban 2.

Star Water 92 – Arreza 36, Gapor 24, Ma. Achas 13, R. Achas 8, Odicta 8, Mateo 3.

Scoring by quarters: 16-29, 43-43, 71-63, 105-92.

Referees: Eric Artillaga and Arnold Mesa.