Duenas Compound, Saipan Apparel advance

Duenas Compound’s Matt Duenas, second left, throws up a shot in front of the Patriots’ Jester Kintaro, left, in the fourth quarter of their playoff game in the MIBF outdoor caging last Thursday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Duenas Compound and Saipan Apparel completed the semis cast in the Mariana Islands Basketball Federation’s Inaugural Men’s Outdoor League after ousting their respective opponents last Thursday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Saipan Apparel moved into the semis following an 80-72 victory over GMI Market in the first game, while Duenas Compound took the last Final Four berth after crushing the San Antonio Patriots in the second match, 97-86. Saipan Apparel and Duenas Compound joined early qualifiers Ace Hardware and the Ol’Aces in the double-elimination semis round.

The second-seeded Duenas Compound set up the easy victory against the seventh-ranked Patriots after pulling away late in the second period, which started with the former ahead by only a deuce, 23-21. The Patriots were still very much in the game behind by only 3 points, 30-33, going into the final four minutes of the second quarter when Duenas Compound went on a 22-10 windup for a double-digit advantage at the break, 55-40.

Matt and Ernest Duenas and Perry Inos teamed up in the breakaway, as they combined for 19 points or for all but one of Duenas Compound’s 10 field goals in that spurt. The trio kept their good shooting in the second half to protect the double-digit spread and Matt put the finishing touches in the victory by adding 10 more points in the final canto.

Matt had a game-high 31 markers, while Ernest and Inos chipped in 26 and 21 points, respectively. Jack Aranda had 23 points for the Patriots, who played without some of their key players, while Leo Galarse contributed 20

In the first match, Saipan Apparel drew solid games from big man Kelvin Fitial and veteran Ed Diaz to thwart the young crew of GMI Market.

Fitial scored 23 points, while Diaz added 15. Both made key baskets in the fourth quarter to help Saipan Apparel maintain its distance against GMI Market. Fitial had 8 points in the payoff period, while Diaz added 6.

Meanwhile, the semis round will begin tomorrow with Saipan Apparel taking on Ace Hardware in the first game at 6:30pm and Duenas Compound challenging the Ol’Aces in the 8pm tiff. Winners of the two matches will move one win away from getting the first finals berth.

First Game
Saipan Apparel 80 – Fitial 23, Diaz 15, Andrew 8, Norita 8, Teregeyo 6, Rangamar 6, Lisua 5, Lizama 4, Bernido 2.

GMI Market 72 – P. Factor 17, Alipio 15, Fidelino 9, Donald 8, G. Sison 6, Doseo 5, A. Factor 5, M. Sison 1.

Scoring by quarters: 14-13, 37-35, 62-63, 80-72.

Second Game
Duenas Compound 97 – M. Duenas 31, E. Duenas 26, Inos 21, Schmidt 8, Santos 4, Eubanks 2, Mostales 2.

Patriots 86 – Aranda 23, Galarse 20, Deleon Guerrero 10, Barbo 8, Kintaro 6, Emerson 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-21, 55-40, 75-63, 97-76.