670 Akkeri breaks into win column

The 670 Akkeri’s Syl Teregeyo squeezes himself into the defense of two Casino players during the second quarter of their game in the MIBF island-wide caging last Wednesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The 670 Akkeri got its first victory in the 2018 MIBF Island-wide Basketball League after outclassing Casino, 78-63, last Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The 670 Akkeri, which dropped its first two games against the 670 Sonics and men’s division leaders Ol’Aces, broke away from Casino in the third quarter en route to the 15-point winning margin.

Ahead by only 6 at the break, 38-32, the 670 Akkeri complemented its better offense with a solid defense, limiting Casino to three field goals in the third quarter to open a 63-40 lead. Earlier in the first half, the 670 Akkeri also played tough defense on Casino, but the latter found a way to break the press to stay afloat.

However, the 670 Akkeri continued to hound Casino in the third canto and this time the ploy worked, as no player from the losing squad made more than one field goal. While Casino struggled on offense, the 670 Akkeri did not, thanks to the 10 markers of Fred Litulumar and a couple more baskets from his four other teammates.

After building a big lead, the 670 Akkeri kept going in the fourth, leaving Casino no chance to recover.

Meanwhile, the Lady Ol’Aces also posted a double-digit winning margin over the Docomo Rollers, 46-32, to remain undefeated in four games.

Former CNMI national team players Lia Rangamar and Jeralyn Castillo towed the Lady Ol’Aces to another victory after firing 14 and 13 points, respectively. A.J. Garon had 15 markers for the winless Rollers.

In other results, the 670 Sonics romped past the Chalan Kanoa Ballers last Monday, 103-64, while the Ol’Aces defeated Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan in the women’s division tiff, 63-49.

The 670 Sonics pulled away in the second half for the easy win. On top by only 3 after the first canto, 19-16, the 670 Sonics got 6 points apiece from Melvin Cadiang, Ernest Duenas, and J.R. Ngeskebei to take a 51-33 halftime edge.

The 670 Sonics continued to pounce on the Ballers in the second half with Matt Duenas delivering the finishing touches in the team’s lopsided win.

Men’s Game
670 Akkeri 78 — Litulumar 15, Pangelinan 14, A. Factor 9, P. Factor 9, Arceo 6, Teregeyo 4, Tenorio 4, Babauta 4, Aldan 2, Manglona 2.
Casino 63 — Ibag 14, Marinas 12, Sanguyo 10, Agapito 10, Atencio 7, Sebastian 6, Guiang 3, Abonita 2, Pantaleon 1.
Scoring by quarters: 16-15, 38-32, 63-40, 78-63.

Women’s Game
Lady Ol’Aces 46 —L. Rangamar 14, Castillo 13, Kenty 9, K. Rangamar 4, Rasiang 2, Borja 2, Omar 2.
Docomo Rollers 32 — Garon 15, Lumabi 6, Valino 5, Francisco 2, Nowicki 2, Marasigan 2.