Ali’i stretches streaks to four for solo lead

Ali’i kept its unbeaten record, following a 66-59 victory over Garapan in the second game in the 2013 DLX/IT&E Invitational Basketball League last Wednesday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

The win was Ali’i’s fourth in a row, strengthening the team’s hold to the top spot in Group A of the 12-team field. Ali’i leads I Love Saipan (2-0), Saipan Ice (2-1), San Roque (1-2), Pogi Problems (1-3), and Garapan (0-4).

Ivan Devero top-scored in Ali’i’s fourth straight victory, firing 27 points. He dropped most of his points in the first half, helping Ali’i gain cushion over the winless Garapan. The former Marianas High School standout registered 14 points in the second quarter, including Ali’i’s’ last 8 markers in that period to turn a 16-deadlock after the first period to a 37-30 advantage at halftime.

Devero was held to a field goal in the third canto, but his teammates stepped up, as Ali’i kept the upperhand, 52-47, and the team hung in there in the fourth with their top scorer collecting 5 more markers and his two other teammates also contributing to the cause.

In the first game, Hite is also on a streak, bagging its second straight win after routing Digital Motion, 105-77.

Five players logged double figures for Hite, which dropped its first two matches before prevailing against Flip Top last week. 92-85. Against Digital Motion (1-4), Eugene Manglona anchored Hite’s balance offense, as he nailed 22 points. Jerry Diaz chipped in 16, Dexter Tenorio and Marlon Cabrera posted 14 each, and Zack Babauta recorded 11.

Hite was only ahead by 7 after the first period, 24-17, when it broke Flip Top’s back with a 34-6 scoring run the second frame. Tenorio led the breakaway, scoring 8 of his total points in the pivotal second canto, while three of his teammates added at least 6 points apiece.

With the lopsided win, Hite moved up from fifth to tie for third to fourth place in Group B with ICS Shooters (2-2). Gwap Gang leads the pool with its 3-0 slate, followed by JP World (2-1), while Flip Top (1-2) and Digital Motion (1-4) occupies the last two spots in the team standings.

First Game
Hite 105 – Manglona 22, Diaz 16, Tenorio 14, Cabrera 14, Z.  Babauta 11, Montes 8, Park 8, Lauron 5, R. Babauta 4.
Digital Motion 77 – Montano 22, Umali 21, Gabaldon 14, Reyes 13, Zapanta 10, Banzagale 3.
Scoring by quarters: 24-17, 58-23, 83-58, 105-77.

Second Game
Ali’i 66 – Devero 27, De Leon 10, Velasco 9, De Dios 8, Mateo 7, Hernandez 5.
Garapan 59 – Fidelino 17, Devero 16, Castro 12, Yap 5, Chen 2.
Scoring by quarters: 16-16, 37-30, 52-47, 66-59.