PSS grabs solo lead in govt league

Public School System is alone atop the 2004 Government Basketball League standings after turning back Department of Community and Cultural Affairs last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Seeing action in the curtain raiser of the league’s weekend doubleheader, PSS bucked a slow start to beat DCCA 92-88 in a battle of undefeated teams.

DCCA were all over PSS in the first quarter. With Elias Rangamar delivering on his promise to wear his speedy running shoes and Wayne Pua and Joey Dela Cruz also doing their share, DCCA took the opening canto 25-20.

But PSS quickly got rid of the cobwebs and rallied in the second quarter behind explosive scorers Taj Van Buren, Gabriel White, and Gary Lashley. With the three combining for all but 10 of the team’s 35-point second quarter, PSS took the driver’s seat at the turn, 55-43.

DCCA pushed hard to retake the upperhand in the third but were often met with retaliatory outbursts from PSS’ top guns. With the game finished three-fourths of the way, PSS still led DCCA 72-66.

Both teams then hunkered down to work for the final 10 minutes of the contest. DCCA tried their best punch but eventually came up short, as Van Buren and White anchored PSS’ strong finishing kick.

Van Buren went on to score 24 points, while White and Lashley added 19 and 15, respectively. Swingman Pete Mendiola banged in 12 more just for good measure for PSS.

Rangamar was nearly unstoppable in the ballgame and wound up with a game-high 29 markers. Dela Cruz finished with 15, while John Reyes added 12.

In the second game, Tinian made their ferryboat crossing worth the fare by nipping Department of Public Safety 1, 93-89.

It was a tight ballgame from opening tip to the final horn but Tinian players were able to pull off the win with key baskets down the stretch.

Pete Manglona paced Tinian with 19 points, while league-scoring leader Elias Saralu fired 31 in the loss.

On Friday, Saralu and company were not as unfortunate as they defeated an underachieving Procurement & Supply squad 103-87.

Commonwealth Health Center earlier bounced back from their loss to P&S the game before after pummeling winless Saipan Mayor’s Office 62-43.

FRIDAY

FIRST GAME
CHC 62 – Guerrero 13, Rabauliman 10, Tudela 10, Diaz 4, Kalen 4, Seidler 4, Yarofalir 2, Duenas 2, Kindipan 2, Guillermo 2.

Mayor’s Office 43 – Benavente 14, Demapan 11, Mizutani 6, Palacios 4, Taisacan 4, Guerrero 2, Tudela 1.

Scoring by quarters: 14-4, 23-13, 44-34, 62-43.
Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Nick Castro.

SECOND GAME
DPS I 103 – Celes 23, Saralu 22, Ito 12, Taitano 11, Manglona 10, Kaipat 9, Quitugua 4, Joab 4, Farley 2.

P&S 87 – Ja. Palacios 21, Jo. Palacios 20, Masga 17, Iglecias 8, Guerrero 7, Duenas 7.

Scoring by quarters: 26-18, 59-46, 84-69, 103-87.

Referees: Gabriel White and Jess Pabula.

SATURDAY

FIRST GAME
PSS 92 – Van Buren 24, White 19, Lashley 15, P. Mendiola 12, McDonald 9, F. Mendiola 3.

DCCA 88 – Rangamar 29, Dela Cruz 15, Reyes 12, Pua 9, Iginoef 9, Peliseman 7, Sablan 6, Dikito 3.

Scoring by quarters: 20-25, 55-43, 72-66, 92-88.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.

SECOND GAME
Tinian 93 – Manglona 19, Nabors 18, Manibusan 14, J. King 13, C. King 10, Borja 7.

DPS I 89 – Saralu 31, Celes 23, Ito 18, Taitano 11, Joab 4, Kaipat 2.

Scoring by quarters: 27-27, 47-45, 68-65, 93-89.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Noel Delos Santos.