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Fiesta wins in opener of Inter-Hotel caging
From left, NMSA president Michael White, 2014 Miss Marianas Teen Gianna Chantal Sizemore Camacho, and Gov. Eloy Inos pose for a photo before gracing the opening ceremony for the 2014 Budweiser Inter Hotel Basketball League last Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Contributed Photo)
Jared Matsutaro and Elmer Esdrelon canned important baskets in the fourth quarter to hand the defending champion a debut loss. Matsutaro scored eight of his 19 points in the final canto, while Esdrelon had six to withstand Hyatt’s rally.
The defending champion tried mounting a comeback in the fourth frame after falling behind by 11 at the end of the third canto, 48-37. Sajh Hossain led rally, scoring seven of Hyatt’s first nine markers to slice the deficit to single digit, but Matsutaro and Esdrelon came into Fiesta’s rescue to preserve the lead.
Fiesta put Hyatt in a chasing game right in the first period, as Paul Quizon powered the former to a 12-9 lead. Rew Demafelix then picked up where Quizon left off in the second canto, earning eight points in that quarter that ended with Fiesta upping its lead to 10, 32-22. Though Hyatt improved its offense a bit in the second canto, it still trailed, as Hossain failed to get help from his teammates.
Fiesta retained the double-digit spread, as Matsutaro and Esdrelon scored six points apiece in the third period. Esdrelon kicked off Fiesta’s offense in the third, while Matsutaro had his turn in the closing minutes of that frame. Then in the fourth canto, the 1-2 punch traded baskets to counter Hossain’s show for Hyatt.
Fiesta Resort 66 – Matsutaro 19, Dimafelix 17, Esdrelon 15, Quizon 10, Villamena 3, Galag 2.
Hyatt 58 – Hossain 24, Garcia 7, Muna 7, Rios 5, Muna 4, William 4, Alipio 2, Esefon 2.
Scoring by quarters: 12-9, 32-22, 48-37, 66-58.
