Loving Hands hammers Warriors

Loving Hands’ Prince Factor, left, blocks Manuel Jazarino during the second quarter of their game in the One Pacific Promotional Basketball League 2020 last Monday at the Civic Center Court. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

Loving Hands pounded Saipan Warriors, 90-61, in the first game in the One Pacific Promotional Basketball League 2020 last Monday at the Civic Center Court.

Five Loving Hands players scored in double figures to hand Saipan Warriors a bad beating in their season debut. Loving Hands notched its second victory in as many games.

Prince Factor paced Loving Hands with his 19 markers, Adi Tabora added 14, Jude Tengco chipped in 12, and Jun Tabora and Jun Fidelino contributed 10 apiece.

Fidelino nailed 7 of his total points early in the first quarter to lift Loving Hands to a double-digit advantage 24-11. Adi tallied 5 markers in Loving Hands’ strong start and four of his teammates also made it to the board.

With Loving Hands still spreading the wealth in the second quarter, it widened the gap to 25 at the halftime break, 50-25. Adi added 6 more points, the same output Tengco recorded in the second period, while three of their teammates delivered at least two baskets apiece.

Despite the big lead, Loving Hands showed no mercy to the Saipan Warriors in the second half, as the former’s gunners kept hitting their targets. Saipan Warriors failed to keep up with Loving Hands’ hot shooting with only John Lumen consistently making baskets for the losing squad.

Meanwhile, Star Water topped Lakay in the other match last Monday, 90-85.

Star Water made crucial free throws in the homestretch to take the close win. Michael Cabanas knocked in a pair of shots from the stripe and Ron Gamboa and Elmer Esdrelon had one each with the latter also scoring 3 of Star Water’s last 6 points.

Christian Itaas also helped Star Water’s cause, as his 9 points earlier in the fourth quarter, highlighted by back-to-back triples, kept his team in the lead.

Star Water was up by only 3 after the third period, 66-63, and could not pull away in the fourth, as Chris Lilles repeatedly brought Lakay back into the game. In the end, Star Water had to secure the win from the foul line.

First Game
Loving Hands 90—Factor 19, A. A Tabora 14, Tengco 12, Fidelino 10, J. Tabora 10, Javier 8, De Guzman 4, Alegre 4, Kintz 2, Hernandez 2.
Saipan Warriors 61—Lumen 19, Galang 13, Agusto 10, Cabildo 8, Rutab 6, Witangco 4, Barron 2.
Scoring by quarters: 24-11, 50-25, 71-44, 91-61.