NMSA, Customs hammer foes

Northern Marianas Sports Association’s Greg Iginoef drives against two Department of Communit and Cultural Affairs defenders during the fourth quarter of their game in the IT&E-DYS inter-government caging last Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Customs was pitted against Commonwealth Health Center and coasted to a 61-28 victory in the first game, while NMSA challenged the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs in the nightcap and walked away with a 56-46 triumph.

NMSA dominated DCCA despite playing with only five players in the first half and six in the second with Mike Babauta suiting up in the third period. The first 20 minutes of play ended with NMSA ahead, 29-14, as it held DCCA to 3 points in the entire second quarter. DCCA had only one field goal off Perry Inos drive early in the second canto and drew one free throw from Edgar Pangelinan before going scoreless for seven minutes.

DCCA bled for points despite fielding an 11-man roster, while Preston Basa and Elias Rangamar made up for NMSA’s lack of manpower to give their team a double-digit lead at the break. Basa finished the half with 14 points, while Rangamar chipped in 11.

Basa continued to lead NMSA offense in the third, drilling 8 of the team’s first 10 points, while DCCA remained scoreless in the first four minutes of that period to face a 39-14 deficit. A triple from Pangelinan ended DCCA’ silence and he tried to anchor a second-half rally, but failed to get help from his teammates. DCCA managed to move only within 10 with less than a minute left in the match.

Basa top-scored for DCCA with his 26 points, while Rangamar finished with 17. Orrin Pharmin added 6, while Greg Iginoef and Emery Fitial logged 2 apiece. Pangelinan and Perry Inos had 14 apiece to lead DCCA.

Meanwhile, in the first game Customs limited CHC to single digit in scoring in each of the four quarters en route to the lopsided win.

CHC had an off shooting night in its debut game scoring no more than 8 in each quarter, as it fired 8 apiece in the first and third cantos and 6 each in the two other periods. Customs on the other hand, netted double figures in three of the four quarters, as it drew contributions from all 10 players who suited up in the league opener.

Kelvin Fitial paced Customs with his 13 points, while Don Teregeyo chipped in 10.

First Game
Customs 61 – Fitial 13, Teregeyo 10, Lizama 7, Saralu 6, Pangelinan 4, J. Sablan 4, M. Reyes 4, M. Sablan 3, L. Reyes 2, Maratita 2.

CHC 28 – Cariaso 10, Dunay 7, Flores 4, Culala 2, Fernandez 2, Corotan 2.

Scoring by quarters: 15-8, 24-14, 42-22, 61-28.

Second Game
NMSA 56 – Basa 26, Rangamar 17, Pharmin 6, Iginoef 2, Fitial 2.

DCCA 46 – Pangelinan 14, Inos 14, Mangarero 5, Manabat 4, John 2, Rosario 2, R. Deleon Guerrero 2, L. Deleon Guerrero 2.

Scoring by quarters: 13-11, 29-14, 41-25, 56-46.