Ol’Aces, Save More, New Chang Ming stay perfect

Team Marianas’ Matthew Richardson tries an acrobatic shot against Roil Soil OG’s Ponce Rasa in the 2023 Michelob Ultra Cup Men’s Islandwide Basketball League last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (MARK RABAGO)

Martech Ol’Aces, New Chang Ming Market, and Save More are the three remaining undefeated teams in the 2023 Michelob Ultra Cup Men’s Islandwide Basketball League.

Ol’Aces won its third straight after downing CK Saints, 69-60, last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

As characteristic of Ol’Aces, they got up to a big lead before losing focus near the end but not before pulling out a great escape.

Airson Atan led four Ol’Aces players in double digits with 15 points, while the Saints (1-2) were anointed by the game-high 21 points of Leo Galarse.

In the second game, Team Marianas dumped Roil Soil OG, 84-51, to go above the .500 mark at 2-1.

Chioni Dela Cruz led a balanced attack by the CNMI national men’s basketball pool with 18 points, while Dave Camacho and Sid Quan scored 13 markers apiece to pace Roil Soil.

In the last game of the tripleheader, Steve King won his scoring duel against Mark Ferrer and made it sweeter by going home with the W in La Mesa Kusina’s 94-70 victory over Unity Trade.

King outscored Ferrer, 32-25, as La Mesa Kusina bounced back from its first loss to improve to 2-1, while Unity Trade went the opposite track at 1-2.

Last Sunday, New Chang Ming Market raised its record to 4-0 after slamming Roil Soil OG (0-4), 100-83. Earlier, OG Rollers (1-3) registered its first win after beating Bridge Capital LLC (0-4), 111-104. 

New Chang Ming actually posted its third win after thumping Socho (1-2), 100-76, last Friday. Ali’i Blue Haus earlier escaped by the skin of their teeth against OG Rollers, 84-81, for its second win in three games.
On Thursday, Save More improved to 3-0 following a 91-83 win over Bridge Capital.  Team Marianas got the better of La Mesa Kusina, 76-67, in the opener.

SATURDAY
First Game
Martech-Ol’Aces 69 – Ai. Atan 15, Basa 14, Lizama 11, Schmidt 10, Af. Atan 5, Kabiriel 5, Brungard 3, Onopwy 2, Pua 2.
CK Saints 60 – Galarse 21, Augenbaugh 14, Lui. Reyes 8, Lizama 3, Manibusan 3, Lus. Reyes 3, Yucummang 2.
Scoring by quarters: 24-14, 38-28, 50-46, 69-60.

Second Game
Team Marianas 84 –  Dela Cruz 18, Richardson 13, Aranda 10, Aldan 8, Villarin 7, J. Sablan 6, Brennan 5, C. Santos 4, K. Santos 3, Raquepo 3, Garcia 3, Hocog 2, G. Sablan 2.

OG Roil Soil 51 – Quan 13, Camacho 13, Palacios 11, Villanueva 4, Standish 4, Chariton 2, Tudela 2, Sambile 2.

Scoring by quarters: 26-12, 46-19, 61-40, 85-51.

Third Game
La Mesa Kusina 94 – King 32, Kim 18, Sablan 12, Deleon Guerrero 10, Mizutani 9, Bravo 5, Chua 5, Saludez 3.

Unity Trade 70 – Ferrer 25, Javier 12, Piritcino 12, Velasco 5, Esmores 5, Macalinao 3, Agustin 2, Bongolan 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-19, 51-35, 76-55, 94-70.