CHC snaps skid, hands DPS 4th straight loss

Commonwealth Health Center survived a near end-game meltdown and ran away with a 62-57 decision against Department of Public Safety to snap its losing skid in the 2014 IT&E-DYS Inter-Government Basketball League last Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

While CHC got its first win in six matches, DPS dropped its fourth straight game after opening the league with a 58-44 humbling of Judiciary, which withdrew its team early last month, on Oct. 1.

CHC seemed headed for an easy win when Adrian Flores’ twinner gave them a 10-point spread, 59-49, with two minutes left in the game. However, CHC went scoreless after that, while DPS scored eight straight points to threaten at 57-59, with 25 seconds to go. Romeo Iginoef scored back-to-back baskets, while Paul Manglona and Chris Sablan made consecutive layups in DPS’ late scoring run.

CHC scored its first point in the 17-second mark of the fourth, a split free throw by Anthony Rajo, for a 60-57 count, giving DPS a slim chance of sending the game into overtime with a 3-pointer. However, DPS failed to connect from the outside as its gunners missed their 3-point tries, while two more split free throws from Rajo and Omar Ajoste sealed the win for CHC.

CHC, in its first three defeats, had an average losing margin of 34 points per game. It absorbed a 61-28 thrashing by Customs on Sept. 29, received an 88-44 hammering from the Feds, and suffered a 74-49 drubbing against Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.

The inclusion of brothers Brian and Omar Ajoste, and Jason Bahillo on CHC’s roster changed the team’s fortunes as it now has legitimate scoring threats.

CHC, since the three played midway last month, lost 2 more matches—a 75-65 trouncing from Northern Marianas Sports Association and 76-73 double overtime setback to Commonwealth Utilities Corp—before finally nailing its breakthrough win.

Bahillo had an all-around game of 14 points, 2 assists, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks, while Rajo powered his way underneath to finish with 13 markers and 14 boards. Flores contributed 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals, while Brian Ajoste tallied 10 markers and 6 assists. Omar Ajoste also had 10 points.

Iginoef led DPS with 12 points, while Sablan had 11 and Edwin Camacho added 10. Maverick Saures only scored 6, but grabbed 12 rebounds to lead his team’s 37-30 advantage in that department.

In the first game, NMSA romped to its fourth straight victory after routing CUC, 61-46

NMSA built an early 13-6 lead and patiently pulled away in the second to enter the break with a 31-18 spread. It was never threatened after that to coast to the 15-point win.

NMSA led in almost all departments: 46-35 in rebounds, 11-7 in assists, and 14-9 in steals.

Teresa Sablan paced NMSA with 19 points, built around five 3-pointers and also had 4 steals, while Elias Rangamar only made 6 markers, but had 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Orrin Pharmin also had 9 points and added 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals.

Tony Diaz was the lone CUC player to finish in double digits with 16 points, while John Santos had 8 markers, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Robert Lieto collected a game-high 10 caroms to go with his 6 points.

Meanwhile, NMSA shoots for its fifth straight win on Monday when it faces Feds in the 8pm second game right after the 6:30pm opener between Customs and DCCA.

First Game
NMSA 61 – Sablan 19, Camachoo 9, Pharmin 9, Jones 8, Tudela 8, Rangamar 6, Babauta 2, Caro 2.
CUC 46 – Diaz 16, Santos 8, Benavente 7, Lieto 6, Mizutani 3, Camacho 2, Nunez 2, Poquiz 2.
Scoring by quarters: 13-6, 31-18, 42-33, 61-46.

Second Game
CHC 62 – Bahillo 14, Rajo 13, Flores 12, B. Ajoste 10, O. Ajoste 10, Tudela 3.
DPS 57 – Iginoef 12, Sablan 11, Camacho 10, J. Saures 7, Manglona 6, M. Saures 6, Santos 5.
Scoring by quarters: 11-9, 26-26, 47-30, 62-57. (Jon Perez)