Gwap Gang, I Love Saipan win in opener

Gwap Gang’s Jared Ano uses a pick from his teammate to drive to the baseline against Digital Motion’s Webb Gontar during the first quarter of their game in the DLX/IT&E caging last Saturday at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Gwap Gang and I Love Saipan kicked off their campaign in the 2013 DLX/IT&E Invitational Basketball League on a positive note after beating separate opponents last Saturday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

I Love Saipan played in the first game in the opening day of the IT&E-backed league and edged the San Roque Bandits, 78-76, while Gwap Gang dominated Digital Motion, 96-71, in the second match.

I Love Saipan banked on its 3-point shooting, drilling 13, to thwart the Bandits. Ben Pelisamen made the last two triples, which incidentally were also the final two field goals of I Love Saipan, helping his team eked out the close victory.

Pelisamen bailed I Love Saipan out of trouble against San Roque, which threatened a comeback after falling behind by 6 at the end of the third period. Pelisamen nailed 8 points in the fourth quarter alone, teaming up with White Capalad in saving I Love Saipan. Capalad hit one triple in the payoff canto and added 7 points to finish with a team-high 19 markers.

Capalad, Pelisamen, and Derrick Manglona earlier allowed I Love Saipan to turn a 31-38 halftime deficit to a 6-point advantage at the end of the third period when they connected on two triples apiece. Spitfire Mike Olaitiman chipped in 6 points in the third, as I Love Saipan outgunned San Roque, 28-15, to grab the driver’s seat.

Meanwhile, in the second game, Gwap Gang was in control of its match against Digital Motion right at the get-go, taking a 25-12 lead after the first period.

Gwap Gang capitalized on the depleted crew of Digital Motion, which played its first game with only five players.  Rodney Sacramento nearly outscored the entire Digital Motion team, registering 10 points in the first canto to lift Gwap Gang to an early double-digit spread.

Digital Motion’s lack of manpower made it impossible for the team to mount a comeback in the last three quarters.

First Game

I Love Saipan 78 – Capalad 19, M. Olaitiman 16, Pelisamen 14, Ruluked 12, Manglona 8, Aldan 6, J. Olaitiman 3, Lontoc 2.

San Roque 76 – Barrios 19, Guiab 19, Fernando 14, Gunacao 14, Mina 7, Salazar 3.

Scoring by quarters: 15-14, 31-38, 59-53, 78-76.

Second Game

Gwap Gang 96 – Sacramento 22, Ito 15, Deleon Guerrero 14, Yap 10, Rabauliman 10, Darag 9, Ano 6, Rabasto 6, Orejola 2.

Digital Motion 76 – Vargas 26, Gontar 22, Montano 14, Umali 6, Reyes 4.

Scoring by quarters: 25-12, 45-31, 67-48, 96-76.