Ali’i zooms past Checkpoint

Ali’i’s Brendon Talania attempts a layup against Checkpoint International in the open division of the 2nd Annual Saipan Centennial Lions Club Basketball League last Wednesday at the Civic Center Basketball Court in Susupe. (Mark Rabago)

Ali’i used a blistering second quarter to cruise to a 93-71 win against winless Checkpoint International in the open division of the 2nd Annual Saipan Centennial Lions Club Basketball League last Wednesday at the Civic Center Basketball Court in Susupe.

It was the third win in four tries for Ali’i, while Checkpoint dropped its fourth straight game.

The match was a seesaw opening quarter with both teams exchanging leads before Ali’i scored the final basket to take the first 10 minutes of action, 17-15.

It was still a close encounter of the second kind at the start of the next canto, but Blue Haus took control of the game shortly after Austin Camacho was assessed an unsportsmanlike foul on a driving Dan Mateo.

Camacho was disqualified from the game and Mateo went on to make 3-of-4 free throws and Blue Haus scored on a field goal. The floodgates then opened with almost everyone up and down the Blue Haus roster scoring at will, led by a bulked up Jaymark De Guzman. Checkpoint was veritably check-mated then and there and trailed 52-29 at the half.

Brendon Talania picked up where De Guzman and company left off in the third, as the bullstrong guard scored easily and as a result Blue Haus entered the fourth and final quarter ahead by 13 points, 69-56.

Ron Esmores tried valiantly to rally Checkpoint in the fourth but there were no rooks turning into queens in basketball, as Blue Haus won it running away.

De Guzman paced all scorers with 21 points, while Talania added 16 of his own. Esmores wasn’t at all clueless in the game and finished with a team-high 17 markers.

In the earlier game, another De Guzman—Jorge—led A’s Car Aircon to an 80-56 victory over winless RNV Construction.

Carlos Elchico tries to play keep-away against a Checkpoint International defender in the open division of the 2nd Annual Saipan Centennial Lions Club Basketball League last Wednesday at the Civic Center Basketball Court in Susupe. (Mark Rabago)

A’s Car Aircon led from the get-go, grabbing a 17-13 spread after the first canto. It continued to lead, 37-26, at the turn before heading into the final 10 minutes with a 54-38 advantage. 

De Guzman led the victors with 14 points, while Alvin Fundador pinched in 11. The Rueda brothers—Ronald and Jun—combined for 27 markers for RNV Construction 

In Monday’s game, Blue Haus whipped Ol’Aces, 83-64, in the masters division to improve to 1-1, while giving Ol’Aces its first loss in three games. In the open division, JTM Saipan outlasted Lakay, 74-63, to raise its mark to 3-1, while Lakay is going the opposite direction at 1-3.

Last Saturday, JSN Enterprises burst the bubble of Pepoy’s Cafe & Restaurant, 75-62, in their masters affair. Both now sport identical 1-1 win-loss cars. Ali’i slugged out a 54-46 win over Team Socho in a low-scoring game in the open division. The latter dropped to 1-2.

Tuesday’s matches were canceled due to rain and will be scheduled for another date.

The games scheduled yesterday were canceled due to bad weather and will be rescheduled on a later date. There are also no games today in observance of Good Friday.

First Game
A’s Car Aircon 80 – De Guzman 14, Fundador 11, Pangelina 9, D. Tibayan 8, Basi 8, Bisana 6, De Jesus 5, Tobias 5, Ang 4, Rosario 4, Manabat 3, R. Tibayan 3.

RNV Construction 54 – R. Rueda 20, Jumaquio 8, J. Rueda Vice 7, Bacuyag 5, Basi 3, Udaundo 3, M. Tagle 3, R. Tagle 2, Zapanta 2, Odicta 1.

Scoring by quarters: 17-13, 37-26, 54-38, 80-54.

Second Game
Ali’i 93 – Talania 16, Elchico 13, N. Mateo 13, Esdrelon 11, Atoigue 7, D. Mateo 5, De Dios 4, Leung 2.

Checkpoint Int’l. 71 – Esmores 17, Bungawan 10, Aparte 8, Ocampo 7, G. Camacho 6, Taraya 6, A. Camacho 4, Ramos 4, Gigan 3.

Scoring by quarters: 17-15, 52-29, 69-56, 93-71.