JTM Saipan routs Padrino in Legends caging  

JTM Saipan’s Ryan Bayna attacks the defense of two Padrino Tuesday Club players in their open division game in the Legends Sports Association Invitational Basketball League last Sunday at the Koblerville Basketball Court.(MARK RABAGO)

JTM Saipan routed upstart Padrino Tuesday Club, 100-75, in the open division of the Legends Sports Association Invitational Basketball League last Sunday at the Koblerville Basketball Court.

Thanks to the blazing hands of Ryan Bayna, JTM Saipan got off to a jackrabbit start and opened with a 22-12 lead after one quarter of play.

JTM Saipan would only build on their double-digit spread in the second, burying the erstwhile undefeated Padrino under an avalanche of points to enter the halftime break with a stout 44-28 advantage.

Padrino would rally in the third canto to trim their deficit to a mere 7 points, 64-57, but lost steam at the end as JTM Saipan dropped a 26-18 bomb on them in the fourth.

Bayna top-scored for JTM Saipan with a season-high 39 points, while center Jonel Broncano ably backed him up with 26 markers to the now 2-1 team.

Mark Ocampo paced Padrino in their first loss in three games with 14 points, while Darren Alviz tossed in 12 in support.

In other open division games, NAPA Auto Parts improved to 2-1 after a waylaying Al-Ger Manpower, 83-64. It was the third loss in as many games for Al-Ger Manpower.

Blue Haus, meanwhile, remained unscathed after thrashing Marianas Health Services, 77-44, for its third straight win to start the league. MHS absorbed their third loss in as many tries.

Changming Market caught Blue Haus atop the open division with its third win against zero losses when it dealt Pacific Best Choice its first loss in three games, 84-61.

Vizion Insurance won its first game when it outlasted Pepoy’s Rest Cafe, 88-82, to make it to the winner’s circle at 1-2. Pepoy’s Rest Cafe is still winless after three games.

In the masters division, JSN Construction escaped the upset ax when it survived Vizion Insurance, 87-86.

Vizion Insurance trailed by 4 points, 87-83 following a split from the line by JSN Construction main man Jorge De Guzman. 

Rodney Catalla made a booming triple to make it a 1-point lead with 30 seconds left and JSN Construction held on to the ball until time expired to hike its record to 3-0. Vizion Insurance fell to 1-2.

In the other masters game, Blue Haus rebounded from last week’s loss to JSN Construction after blasting Legends Elite, 106-86. Blue Haus is now at 2-1, while Legends Elite is still searching for its first win in three games.

JTM Saipan 100 – Bayna 39, Jone. Broncano 26, Torres 19, Ruiz 6, Jona. Broncano 4, Rodriguez 3, Garcia 2.

Padrino Tuesday Club 75 – Ocampo 14, Alviz 12, Aparte 10,  Atencio 10, Javier 3, Agustin 3, Galang 2, Mamaril 2, Glenn 2.

Scoring by quarters: 22-12, 44-28, 64-57, 100-75.