JSN bounces back, beats Saipan Vegas

KIMBERLY A. BAUTISTA
JSN’s Jun Tabora, center, takes a shot in front of Saipan Vegas’ Cecilio Bisana, left, and Ernie Moises in the United Filipino Organization and IT&E 2019 Open and Master Basketball League last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

JSN quickly battled back from its debut loss in the Masters Division of the United Filipino Organization and IT&E 2019 Basketball League following an 83-74 win over Saipan Vegas last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Jun Tabora led JSN after firing 30 points, making 11 of them in the fourth quarter to help their team withstood Saipan Vegas’ repeated comeback bids. He and Ed Santos’ multiple baskets offset the 10 points that Cecilio Bisana made for Saipan Vegas in the final canto. Santos had 8 of his 10 markers in the final canto that started with JSN ahead by only 5, 58-53.

Besides Santos and Tabora, Randy Mungcal also earned double figures with his 14 markers, while Bisana paced Saipan Vegas after posting 20 points.

Meanwhile, Saipar Pilots-HRP won its first game of the season after dominating Gilas Batang, 68-51, in the Master Division match last Saturday.

A 23-8 scoring surge in the first quarter paved the way for Saipar Pilots-HRP’s easy victory.

Bobby Dela Cruz and Jerry Tolentino delivered 8 points apiece in the first period for Saipar Pilots-HRP, while five of their teammates also made it to the board to lift the squad to a 15-point advantage. Gilas Batang fell behind early, as only Dick and Ramil Tibayan knocked in baskets in the opening canto with the forming registering 6 points and other latter adding 2.

Gilas Batang continued to struggle on offense in the second period, while Saipar Pilots-HRP still spread the wealth to increase the lead to 25 at the break, 45-20. When the game resumed, Saipar Pilots-HRP was still on target to earn a lopsided win.

OPEN DIVISION
Hoopaholics 71, RNV 64
The Hoopaholics outclassed RNV after playing steadier in the fourth quarter.

With the match in a standoff after three periods, 49-all, Maverick Itibus, Kelvin Fitial, Mel Manibusan, and Alex Lauron teamed up to hand the Hoopaholics the victory. Itibus posted all his 6 points in the final canto, Fitial added 5, while Lauron and Manibusan scored 4 apiece.

RNV, after keeping up with the Hoopaholics, in the first three quarters, fell short in the fourth, as only Tristan Cosino hit more than two field goals for the squad in the fourth frame.

Sunday Game
JSN 83—Tabora 30, Mungcal 14, Santos 10, Alegre 8, Tobias 7, Ocampo 6, Jarap 4, Gatdula 4.
Saipan Vegas 74—Bisana 20, Usi 14, Maplas 13, Cortez 10, Barreto 7, Zacke 5, Moises 4.
Scoring by quarters: 18-15, 41-36, 58-53, 83-74.

Saturday Games
Masters
Saipar Pilots-HRP 68—Dela Cruz 12, Toleninto 11, Villarin 9, Puckly 9, Usi 8, Santos 8, Singca 8, Bush 4, Raho 1.
Gilas Batang 51—Tibayan 14, Poole 9, Jugos 9, Saures 5, De Jesus 5, Patawaran 2.
Scoring by quarters: 23-8, 45-20, 63-30, 68-51.

Open
Hoopaholics 71—Cadiang 17, Fitial 11, Augenbaugh 10, Lauron 8, Manibusan 8, Itibus 6, Cabrera 4, Babauta 3, Manibusan 2, Tenorio 2.
Vizion 64—Cosino 15, Ruedo 15, Odicta 10, Agustin 9, De Dios 8, Taraya 4.
Scoring by quarters: 14-14, 21-25, 49-49, 71-64.