Saipan World Resort boosts playoffs chances

Saipan World Resort pulled off a 103-100 overtime win over Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan/Saipan Grand Hotel in the 2009 Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino Invitational Basketball League last week at the Tinian Municipal Gymnasium to strengthen its playoff bid.

World Resort improved to a 2-2 record for a tie for third to fourth place with host Tinian Dynasty.

In the other game last week, Pacific Islands Club stunned Aqua Resort Club, 108-98. The victory was PIC’s first in four games. The loss gave Aqua a 3-2 card and although it dropped its last game in the single-round regular season, the Achugao-based team still made it to the semifinal round, joining Hyatt Regency Saipan, which finished the elimination with a 4-1 slate.

PIC and Fiesta/Grand are tied for the fifth and last spot with their identical 1-3 slates, and victories over World Resort and Tinian would create a four-way tie for the last two semis tickets. Wins by World Resort and Tinian would eliminate PIC and Fiesta/Saipan Grand from playoffs contention. PIC was scheduled to face World Resort in the first game last night, while Tinian was set to square off with Fiesta/Grand in the second match. Results of either game was available at press time.

Kae Bernardo top-scored for World Resort with 35 points, including four markers in overtime. Banjo Basila and Gerry Gayo nailed two points, apiece, while Abuel had a free throw to lift World Resort to a three-point win.

Only Larry Palero and Rommel Usi scored for Fiesta/Grand in overtime, firing four and two points, respectively.

Cadagat paced Fiesta/Grand with 22 markers, but he was scoreless in the fourth quarter and in the extension.

In the second game, PIC outgunned Aqua in the final quarter, 38-28 to notch its first win.

Ryan Sanciangco drilled 16 of PIC’s total output in the fourth period to finish with a season-high 55 points. Darwin Barbo added 24, nine in PIC’s fourth-quarter scoring binge.

James Camacho scored 25 points for Aqua, which played without gunner Andres “Jun” Estolas Jr..

Saipan World Resort 103 – Bernardo 35, Basila 22, Abuel 12, Vinas 9, Ramos 8, Navarro 5, Schinieder 4, Hamoy 4, Caruana 2, Gayo 2.

Fiesta Resort/Saipan Grand 100 – Cadagat 22, Opone 20, Palero 18, Usi 12, Esdrelon 10, Carino 6, David 4, Macoto 4, Manglona 4.

Scoring by quarters: 26-26, 43-45, 73-72, 94-94, 103-100 (OT).

PIC 108 – Sanciangco 55, Barbo 24, Abuy 9, Tudela 9, Tolentino 4, Williams 3, Dacanay 2, Fernandez 2.

Aqua 98 – Camacho 25, Gapor 15, Ruluked 15, Fitial 14, Acosta 7, Aquino 6, Torres 4, Mc. Achas 2.

Scoring by quarters: 11-23, 44-49, 70-all, 108-98.