MJD routs foe; Lakay rallies to win

MJD’s Cecilio Bisana, center, drives against two JNL defenders during the fourth quarter of their game in the One Pacific Promotional Basketball League 2020 last Tuesday at the Civic Center Court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Lakay and MJD made the grade in their opening games in the One Pacific Promotional Basketball League 2020 at the Civic Center Court.

MJD hammered JNL, 85-56, last Tuesday night, while Lakay topped Saipan Warriors last Monday, 61-48, for a good start in the 16-team league.

MJD set up the lopsided win in the third period with Douglas Schmidt and Preston Basa teaming up in the breakaway. Schmidt scored 9 points in the third canto, turning a 39-33 halftime lead to a 66-44 advantage going into the final frame. Basa also delivered 9 points and all were made from the 3-point area.

Despite the big lead, MJD still went for Schmidt at the start of the fourth period and the former CNMI National Team player added 6 more points before he was recalled to the bench.

Then with the win already secured, as MJD was way head, 76-49, coach Marvin Deocares took out his starters in favor of the team’s second and third stringers. The relievers finished the job en route to MJD’s 29-point winning margin.

Schmidt top-scored for MJD with his 35 points, while Basa and Errol Peredo registered twin digits, too, making 12 and 11, respectively.

Alex Escano paced JNL with his 19 points.

Meanwhile, Lakay stole victory from Saipan Warriors in the fourth quarter.

The final canto started with Lakay facing a 4-point deficit, 37-41, but the team went on to complete a comeback with Chris Lilles and Richard McWilliams joining forces in the payoff period. The two combined for 16 points, while four of their teammates contributed at least one basket apiece to hand Lakay the come-from-behind win.

McWilliams had a game-high 28 points, while Lilles tallied 12.

The Saipan Warriors folded up in the fourth quarter, as only three players hit the board for the losing squad. Jemar Wijangco registered 3 points, while Jeff Cabildo and J.R. Galang added 2 apiece.

Monday’s Game
Lakay 61—McWilliams 28, Lilles 12, Cabrera 8, Capalad 4, Solis 3, Moises 2, Toribio 2, Macaranas 1.
Saipan Warriors 48—Galang 10, Agusto 8, Wijangco 5, Cabildo 4, Lumen 4, Ayeras 4, Romo 3, Baron 3.
Scoring by quarters: 17-13, 25-30, 37-41, 61-48.

Tuesday’s Game
MJD 85—Schmidt 35, Basa 12, Peredo 11, Guiab 6, Danipog 4, Bisana 4, Cortez 4, Deocares 3, Quintip 2, Claveria 2.
JNL 56—Escano 19, Alvis 8, Agustin 7, Austria 6, Padolina 4, Cellona 3, Jarap 3, Caraig 2, Taraya 2.
Scoring by quarters: 21-23, 39-33, 66-44, 85-56.