Saipan Apparel enters finals

Saipan Apparel’s Ben Lisua, right, goes up for an acrobatic shot against the Ol’Aces’ Jack Lizama during the fourth quarter of their playoff game in the MIBF outdoor caging last Thursday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Saipan Apparel took the first finals seat in the Mariana Islands Basketball Federation’s Inaugural Men’s Outdoor League after rallying past the Ol’Aces, 88-83, last Thursday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Saipan Apparel overhauled a double-digit deficit early in the fourth quarter and then played steady in the homestretch when it was the Ol’Aces’ time to launch a comeback to prevail in the winner’s bracket semifinals and advance to the championship round.

The Ol’Aces led by 10, 71-61, after Andrew Palino knocked in a pair of free throws, with still 8:34 left in the game. A 14-1 run headed by Ben Lisua wiped out the Ol’Aces’ advantage, 75-72. Lisua scored 7 points in that rally and 9 straight counting his earlier basket, while Syl Teregeyo’s basket plus a foul put Saipan Apparel on top, 73-72. Dennis Moses made the lone point for the Ol’Aces, while after Teregeyo missed his bonus free throw, Joshua Andrew got the rebound for the putback, giving Saipan Apparel a 3-point cushion.

Five consecutive points from Ed Diaz off a layup and a triple in the ensuing plays gave Saipan Apparel its biggest lead, 81-75, and put pressure on the Ol’Aces, who tried to mount their own comeback, but fell short in the end.

The Ol’Aces managed to bring the lead down to 2, 82-84, with 50.4 seconds left as after Saipan Apparel drilled another triple off Ben Lisua’s corner shot for a shot, the former made a couple of defensive stops and got successive baskets from Jack Lizama. Lizama’s layup off a Dan Barcinas steal from Derrick Rangamar moved the Ol’Aces within a deuce.

However, Saipan Apparel increased the lead to 4 points when Diaz made up for his missed fastbreak layup when he got the rebound and fed Andrew for the point-blank shot.

A split free throw from Lizama cut the deficit to 3 and the Ol’Aces had a chance to move closer when Jerome Norita also nailed only one free throw on the other end. However, Barcinas muffed his triple, while another split charity (Rangamar) gave Saipan Apparel more cushion, down to the last 10.8 seconds in the match.

The Ol’Aces sued for time, hoping to set up for a quick basket, but faltered when Freddie Pelisamen was pressured after he received the inbound pass. Pelisamen eventually lost possession and Saipan Apparel picked up the loose ball to seal the win.

Four Saipan Apparel players scored in double figures to beat the Ol’Aces. Kelvin Fitial had 20 points, while Lisua finished with 18, and Diaz and Andrew contributed 12 each.

Pelisamen top-scored for the Ol’Aces with his 20 markers, but was held to one field goal in the fourth quarter. The Ol’Aces played without Preston Basa, who sustained a hamstring injury during practice.

Despite the loss, the Ol’Aces still have a chance to march into the finals. The Ol’Aces will face tomorrow the winner in the Ace Hardware-Duenas Compound match for the last finals ticket. Duenas Compound and Ace Hardware had their make-or-break game last Saturday and results will be reported in Saipan Tribune’s Tuesday edition.

Meanwhile, Saipan Apparel, with its undefeated record in the playoffs, will have a twice-to-beat advantage in the finals. Game 1 will be played on Jan. 26, while Game 2, if necessary, is set for Jan. 27.

Saipan Apparel 88 – Fitial 20, Lisua 18, E. Diaz 12, Andrew 12, Teregeyo 8, Norita 5, Lizama 8, Rangamar 3, J. Diaz 2.

Ol’Aces 83 – Pelisamen 20, Barcinas 6, Lizama 12, Santos 6, Iguel 6, Deleon Guerrero 5, Moses 5, Palino 4.

Scoring by quarters: 16-21, 35-42, 59-67, 88-83.