Team CNMI levels it record to 3-3

Team CNMI and RNV Construction players in action Wednesday night in the 2021 Island-wide Men’s BudLight Basketball League at the Tinian Multi-Purpose Gymnasium. (Contributed photo)

Team CNMI reached the .500 mark at 3-3 in the win-loss standings after beating RNV Construction, 76-63, Wednesday night in the 2021 Island-wide Men’s BudLight Basketball League at the Tinian Multi-Purpose Gymnasium.

Louise Maligson and Dennis Borja gave CNMI a rip-roaring start in the opener, scoring 6 points apiece as they took a 23-14 spread heading into the second quarter.

Jhello Bungabong, however, rallied RNV in the next 10 minutes after scorching the hoop with 10 of his 12 total points in the second quarter as CNMI only led by a deuce, 39-37, at the half.

Dexter Bacuyag took over the scoring reins for RNV in the third as both teams exchanged leads in the quarter. With Bacuyag tossing 8 of his 11 total points in the third, RNV wrestled the lead away from CNMI, 53-52, heading into the fourth and final quarter.

That’s when CNMI got a big boost from Anthony Borja as the sharpshooter helped his team finally get some distance from RNV. Borja fired 11 of his team-high 21 points in the final 10 minutes to lead CNMI to the baker’s dozen victory.

Maligson and Dennis Borja ably backed up Anthony Borja with 20 and 16 markers, respectively, while Bungabong and Bacuyag scored 12 and 11 points in the loss, which was RNV’s sixth in seven games.

In the nightcap, SMA Flyers nipped Ko’Bees, 48-44, to raise its record to 2-4, while keeping Ko’Been second to the last in the cellar at 1-6.

In was nip-and-tuck almost the entire game before SMA Flyers finally was able to get the upper hand in the dogfight thanks to Janlery Doria scoring 6 of his team-high 18 points in the fourth quarter. Rico Canlas ably supported Doria in the win with his 12 points, while Ko’Bees was led by the 18 markers of Isaac Stanley.

First Game
Team CNMI 76 – A. Borja 21, Maligson 20, D. Borja 16, Lizama 7, Manansala 3, Rutor 3, E. Borja 2, Monkeya 2, Santos 2.
RNV 63 – Bungabong 12, Bacuyag 11, Albano 11, Borca 8, Villacrusis 5, Laoyon 4, Gorpuz 2, Adupe 2.
Scoring by quarters: 23-14, 39-37, 52-53, 76-63.

Second Game
SMA Flyers 48 – Jan. Doria 30, Canlas 12, Villagracia 5, Opanda 2, Cajilla 2, Olivar 2, J. Doria 2, E. Lagunay 2, Lagunay 1.
Ko’Bees 44 – Stanley 18, Jay 14, Miklo 6, Chino 3, Harpol 2, Sapo 1.
Scoring by quarters: 13-7, 20-22, 32-34, 48-44.