Rousing debut for Ol’Aces

The Ol’Aces’ Jack Lizama, right, battles the Saints’ John Villagomez for the rebound during the second quarter of their game in the MIBF island-wide caging last Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Ol’Aces’ potent offense was in full display in their 144-58 crushing of the Saints during the opening of the 2018 MIBF Island-wide Basketball League last Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Ol’Aces, which have a mix of former CNMI men’s and youth national team players on their roster, pounced on the hapless Saints right in the first quarter, taking a commanding 33-11 lead. Preston Basa started out for the Ol’Aces and led the team’s rampage in the opening canto after earning 7 points. Douglas Schmidt and young gun Dean Blake also scored a couple of points in the early part of the first period, while Freddie Pelisamen and another youth standout K.J. Kabiriel took over in the closing minutes, as the Ol’Aces tripled the Saints’ output for the 20-plus point lead, with still three full quarters to go.

Then in the second canto, the Ol’Aces used a new five-player combination, which could also pass up as a starting unit, with Marvin Rabauliman leading the crew. The former national player teamed up with U18 player Coby Santos in keeping the Ol’Aces’ offense going, as their squad exploded for 40 points for an insurmountable 73-24 advantage at the break.

Despite the huge lead, the Ol’Aces played no let up on offense in the second half to complete their demolition of the Saints. The Ol’Aces peppered the Saints with all kinds of shots that just by the end of the third period, the winning squad was way over the century mark, 104-35.

After the lopsided win, eight Ol’Aces players finished in double figures with Rabauliman leading the way with his 19 points. Aiferson Atan chipped in 18, while Basa contributed 14, and Santos and Pelisamen added 12 apiece. Blake and Schmidt logged 11 each, while N-Nes Siech recorded 10. All of the Ol’Aces players who suited up in the squad’s rousing debut scored.

Leo Galarse paced the Saints with his 18 points. It did not help the Saints’ cause that they had only eight players available for the second match in the opening day.

In the curtain-raiser, the Ol’Aces downed Fiesta Resort in their women’s division tiff, 65-51.

Alliyah Fernandez and Eleina Santos teamed up in powering the Ol’Aces past Fiesta Resort with the former registering a game-high 23 points and the latter making 21.

Fiesta Resort kept the Ol’Aces within striking distance in the first three quarters before losing steam in the final canto. Fernandez anchored the Ol’Aces’ strong finish, dropping 11 of her total points in the fourth period for their double-digit winning margin.

Women’s Division
Ol’Aces 65 — Fernandez 23, E. Santos 21, Hahn 7, Al. Santos 5, D. Camacho 4, An. Santos 4, S. Camacho 1.
Fiesta 51 — Pagarao 15, C. Camacho 9, Kautz 8, Manibusan 6, Watanabe 5, Alegre 3, Alferos 4.
Scoring by quarters: 18-13, 29-23, 48-39, 65-51.

Men’s Division
Ol’Aces 144 — Rabauliman 18, Atan 18, Basa 14, Pelisamen 12, Santos 12, Blake 11, Schmidt 11, Kabiriel 6, Barcinas 6, Libuw 4, Lizama 4, Sablan 4, Deleon Guerrero 3.
Saints 58 — Galarse 18, Diaz 11, Brennan 10, Palacios 5, Villagomez 5, J. Deleon Guerrero 4, D. Deleon Guerrero 2.
Scoring by quarters: 33-11, 73-24, 104-35, 144-58.