QQ Rent-A-Car burns Mobil, 90-86

 QQ Rent-A-Car held off Mobil, 90-86, in an A Division nail-biter that went all the way down to the final minute as the Blue Haus Invitational Basketball League season continued Saturday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.

Undefeated QQ Rent-A-Car’s third straight win put them alone at first place in the standings, while Mobil evened its card to a win and a loss.

In addition, Cargo Express’ engine stalled out of the gate, but recovered with a big surge in the second quarter that helped them siren past Hip Hop Thunder, 84-77, in the B Division curtain-raiser. The win lifted Cargo Express’ win-loss card to a pair of wins with one loss, while Thunder fell to a mark of 1-2.

The season continues Thursday night at 6pm with B Division’s Loving Hands (1-1) against unbeaten Saipan Hardware (2-0) followed at 8pm by A Division’s DLX (1-1) taking on Ashley’s (0-2).

The rest of the field is made up of A Division’s R-Rebels (1-1) and Star Water (0-1) along with B Division’s NVM (1-1) and Wanted Sponsor (1-1).

QQ Rent-A-Car grinded out an early 23-20 edge in the opening 10 minutes with an early 3-pointer by Marlon Sison, 5 markers by Ichitaro Faisao in the thick, and a handful of points by Badong Camacho late in the first quarter.

Mobil’s Jun Estolas took over in the second period and sunk a pair of threes for 12 points to help nab the lead, 40-38, at the half.

QQ’s Sison caught fire after intermission and rang in two from downtown for 14 points, but Mobil’s Estolas, Gyles Ruluked, and Sahj Hossain managed to knot up the score at 62-all heading into the payoff period.

QQ’s Lerio Pagarao turned it on in the fourth quarter with 10 points that helped produce a two-possession advantage.

QQ also held Mobil’s Estolas to just four points in the clutch, which played a big role in preserving the win.

In the end a fastbreak bucket by Faisao and a pair of free throws by Camacho sealed the deal.

QQ’s Sison finished with a team-high 19, while Mobil’s Estolas led all scorers with 27 in defeat.

In the early match, Cargo Express catapulted away from a 14-all deadlock in the opening period with a 27-point outburst in the second quarter for a 41-27 gap at halftime.

Pete Lizama dropped in two 3-pointers for 9 points that went with 10 more in support by Mark Francisco. Dennis Morales also provided a dozen markers through two frames, while Hip Hop Thunder’s front man Ivan Devero was held to 10 points at midpoint.

Devero tallied 10 points in the third quarter that was complemented by a pair of treys by Gino Libuw as the Thunder battled its way back into the game, but Cargo Express maintained control, 66-58, heading into the final period thanks to a pair of answers from behind the arc and a handful of late scores by Morales.

Thunder’s Devero was held to just two free throws at crunch time, while Cargo Express had a number of players step up in the clutch, including Brandon Talania’ six points off the bench in the late minutes.

Cargo Express’ Lizama and Thunder’s Devero both finished with 24 points, however the former’s teammates Morales and Larry Sharry may have made the difference as the duo combined for 40 in the no-doubt win.

First Game

Cargo Express 84 – Lizama 24, Morales 21, Sharry 19, Berline 10, Archangel 4, Francisco 4

Hip-Hop Thunder 77 – I. Devero 24, C. Devero 14, Mateo 13, Libuw 13, Tumaquip 6, Sacramento 4, Omnez 3.

Scoring by quarters: 14-14, 41-27, 66-58, 84-77.

Second Game

QQ Rent-A-Car 90 – Sison 19, Faisao 18, B Camacho 16, Pagarao 14, Mangali 8, Paraiso 7, Montes 4, Acosta 2, Palacios 2.

Mobil 86 – Estolas 27, Ruluked 19, Hossain 12, Ajoste 10, Deguzman 8, Demapan 8, Fernando 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-20, 38-40, 62-62, 90-86.