Balance offense lifts Black Mamba over MP Light

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Black Mamba spread the wealth to top MP Light, 90-71, in the second game in the 2nd Invitational IT&E/Blue Haus Friendly Basketball League last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Black Mamba’s Art Salazar, right, attempts a layup against MP Light’s Jerome Reyes during the fourth quarter of their game in the IT&E/Blue Haus caging last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Six Black Mamba players scored in twin digits, while four others made at least two baskets apiece to give their team a winning debut. White Capalad and Alex Lauron registered 12 points apiece, Chris Lansang added 11, and Yosh Gabaldon, Art Salazar, and B. William contributed 10 each for Black Mamba.

Max Gunnacao led all scorers with his 18 points, recording 8 straight in the first quarter to give MP Light a shaky 18-17 lead.

That was the last time MP Light had the driver’s seat, as Black Mamba turned to several players to grab the upper hand in the second quarter, which ended with the latter ahead by twin digits, 46-35. Seven different players hit the board for Black Mamba in the second canto to take the 11-point spread at the break.

At the resumption of the match, Black Mamba still played unselfish basketball, allowing the team to increase its lead to 19, 70-51, entering the final frame. Again, besides its first five at the start of the second half, two more Black Mamba players off the bench found their target in the third to widen the gap.

Then in the fourth quarter, Chris Lansang and William put the finishing touches on Black Mamba’s victory, as each player drilled 6 points.

With its good debut, Black Mamba joined Batang Bear Brand in the win column of the 12-team league. BBB downed Vendette, 93-84, during the league’s opener last weekend.

Black Mamba 90 — Capalad 12, Lauron 12, Lansang 11, William 10, Gabaldon 10, Salazar 10, Ibanez 9, Brien 5, Echavez 4, Odicta 4.

MP Light 71 — Gunnacao 18, Leong 15, Licop 15, Lerio 12, Reyes 5, Peredo 4, Tengco 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-18, 46-35, 70-51, 90-71.

Roselyn Monroyo | Reporter
Roselyn Monroyo is the sports reporter of Saipan Tribune. She has been covering sports competitions for more than two decades. She is a basketball fan and learned to write baseball and football stories when she came to Saipan in 2005.
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