Mobil/JP World, Shirley’s win debuts

Armatech’s Bruce Berline, left, tries to tap the ball away from Shirley’s Perry Inos, while Haejun Park closes in for help defense during the fourth quarter of their game in the Emon Lodge caging last Sunday at the Civic Center Basketball Court.
(Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Mobil/JP World and Shirley’s Coffee Shop prevailed in the opening games in the 2016 Emon Lodge No. 179 Brotherhood Basketball League last Sunday at the Civic Center Basketball Court.

Mobil/JP World played in the curtain-raiser and whipped MJD Enterprises, 94-74, while Shirley’s topped Armatech in the second game, 76-66.

The opening match was set in the morning, but was rain-delayed just when Mobil/JP World and MJD were about to begin the ceremonial toss. The game resumed in the afternoon with Mobil/JP World having an explosive start to take a 40-22 lead.

It was a team effort for Mobil/JP World in the pivotal first period with six of its players scoring at least three baskets apiece to set the tone in the match. MJD, which was led by former CNMI National Team members Jack Lizama, Dan Barcinas, Freddie Pelisamen, and Kelvin Fitial, never recovered from thereon.

With Mobil/JP World pouring in points early, all but two of their scorers broke into double figures. Juan Camacho led Mobil/JP World with his 17 points, while the backcourt duo of Mark Ferrer and Elgene Mangali added 16 and 13, respectively. Newcomer Chris Lilles also had 13 points, while Allison Dizon and Dennis Cortez contributed 10 apiece. James Villacrusis and Lerio Pagarao combined for Mobil/JP World’s 15 other markers.

Barcinas was the top-scorer for MJD with his 14, while Pelisamen and Lizama had 11 and 10, but failed to get their offensive game going.

In the second match, Shirley’s bounced back from a sluggish start and withstood Armatech’s fourth-quarter rally to win its opener.

Shirley’s faced a 12-22 deficit at the end of the first quarter before managing to grab the upper hand at halftime, 39-38. Bart Demapan and Perry Inos brought Shirley’s back into the game, teaming up for 16 points in the second quarter.

In the third period, Jaymar De Guzman took over for Shirley’s, firing 9 of his 16 markers in that canto that ended with his team nearing a double-digit advantage, 62-53.

Shirley’s then managed to pad its lead to as much as 13 midway in the fourth quarter, 68-55, before Bernard Montano sparked an Armatech comeback. The lefty shooter nailed 7 straight points in Armatech’s 11-2 run to move his team within 6, 66-70, down to the last two minutes and change of the final quarter.

However, Armatech was held scoreless after that, as it turned the ball over several times and muffed a couple of triples, while Shirley’s kept the lead and the win by hitting its free throws.

Shirley’s last 6 markers were all made from the foul line with Demapan going 3-for-4, Inos shooting 2-for-2, and Erick Dela Rosa splitting his charities.

Demapan finished the match with a game-high 21 points, while Inos had 11.

Meanwhile, seven other teams have confirmed their participation in the Emon Lodge caging. The list includes Best Sunshine 1 and 2, Ace Hardware, Marianas Business Plaza, GPPC, Maplas, and a team handled by Cesar Barrozo.

First Game
Mobil/JP World 94 – Camacho 17, Ferrer 16, Mangali 13, Lilles 13, Dizon 10, Cortez 10, Villacrusis 9, Pagarao 6.
MJD 74 – Barcinas 14, Pelisamen 11, Lizama 10, Arciaga 7, Gapor 6, Gamboa 6, Bautista 4, Peredo 4, Deocares 2, Fitial 2.
Scoring by quarters: 40-22, 61-38, 77-51, 94-74.

Second Game
Shirley’s 76 – Demapan 21, De Guzman 16, Inos 11, Sedillo 8, Usi 7, Dela Rosa 7, Rabasto 4, Villanueva 2.
Armatech 66 – Berline 12, Montano 11, Park 11, Abuy 11, Tolosa 8, Asuhan 3, Guevarra 3, Poquiz 2.
Scoring by quarters: 12-22, 39-38, 62-53, 76-66.