DLX, Mobil finish season with wins

  DLX and Mobil closed out the regular season of the 2nd Blue Haus Invitational Basketball League with separate victories last Thursday at the Garapan Basketball Court.

In the curtain raiser, DLX defeated R-Rebels, 79-65, while Mobil outlasted Star Water in the second match, 88-84.

DLX finished pool play with a 4-1 record and is tied with QQ Rent-A-Car in first place in Division A with R-Rebels and Mobil close behind with similar 3-2 cards. Ashley’s came in next with a 1-4 slate, while Star Water finished in the rear, winless in five tries.

In Division B, Loving Hands Daycare (4-1) finished No. 1, followed by NVM (3-2), Saipan Hardware (3-2), Wanted Sponsor (3-2), Cargo Express (2-3) and Hip Hop Thunder (1-4).

The R-Rebels and DLX were locked after the first quarter of Thursday’s opener, 16-all, before the latter managed a 30-26 cushion at halftime.

Trevor Ogumoro carried R-Rebels in the first quarter with 10 points, but was held to just one basket in the second period. DLX matched Ogumoro’s two three-pointers from out of the gate and received nine markers each from Darwin Barbo and Noel David in the second quarter push.

DLX then turned it on after the break and jolted ahead, 59-38, thanks largely to the 10 points of Elmer Esdrelon late in the third. Barbo added eight in the breakaway.

DLX easily trotted to victory lane in the final period with Leo Galarse helping out in the fourth period, making 9 of his 18 points in that quarter. The R-Rebels’ Sly Teregeyo matched Galarse’s effort in defeat.

In the second game, Mobil worked out an early 21-14 lead in the opening period, behind the eight points of Gyles Ruluked and remained on top at halftime, 40-32. Ruluked added eight more points in the second quarter, while Star Water’s White Capalad and Dennis Vinas combined for 18 points in the first half to keep their team afloat.

Star Water’s Erwin Gomez then came off the bench in the third, drained three treys, and scored 15 points in that quarter alone to grab the lead, 64-59.

However, Gomez went cold in the fourth quarter, as he was held to one basket, while Jun Estolas and Angleo Fernando teamed up for 21 points for Mobil to regain the driver’s seat and secure the win in the end.

Estolas paced Mobil with 21 points, while Vinas led all scorers with 25, making 10 in the fourth canto.

Meanwhile, the playoff round was scheduled to start last Saturday, but games were rained-out.

First Game

DLX 79 – Galarse 18, Esdrelon 15, Guiab 14, Barbo 12, Abedes 7, David 5, Fernandez 4, Muleta 3, Trajano 1.

R-Rebels 65 – Teregeyo 18, Ogumoro 14, Fitial 13, Lisua 10, Litulumar 4, Norita 2, E. Camacho 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-16, 30-26, 59-38, 79-65.

Second Game

Mobil 88 – Estolas 21, Fernando 19, Ruluked 18, Demapan 12, Hossain 8, Jose 4, Reyes 3, Carotan 2.

Star Water 84 – Vinas 25, Gomez 17, Santos 14, Capalad 10, De Dios 10, Rivera 8.

Scoring by quarters: 21-14, 40-32, 59-64, 88-84.

By Walter J. Sutherland
Reporter