DCAA falls to NMC

Northern Marianas College got back into the winning track, as the defending champions waylaid a cold-shooting Department of Community and Cultural Affairs team, 101-89, in the 2004 Government Basketball League Friday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

DCCA actually got off to a good start, as Joey Dela Cruz, Elias Rangamar, John Reyes, and Ben Peliseman knocked in five points or more, giving them a 30-25 advantage going into the second canto.

NMC began to have some success in the second however, as DCCA’s shooting woes started. With one-man fastbreak Tony Diaz going off for nine points and 3-point specialist Jester Garcia chipping in six, NMC trailed by only half a bucket, 50-51, at halftime.

Diaz then totally went berserk in the third quarter, and coupled with DCCA’s continued putrid shooting, NMC built a 74-68 spread entering the fourth and final canto.

DCCA’s shooting would go from bad to worse in the payoff period. And to make matters worst, NMC found an offensive spark from guard Dave Palacios. Palacios would score all of his 10 points in the period, as NMC used a 27-21 windup to seal the win.

NMC’s Diaz led all scorers with 39 points, followed by the 24 of Garcia. Rangamar paced DCCA in the loss with 20. Reyes had 16 and Peliseman added 14.

DCCA, however, put the game under protest citing the ineligibility of one of the players from NMC.

In the second game, Commonwealth Health Center leaned on the 24 points of Ken Kalen and the inside might of Joe Tudela and Anthony Raho to beat Department of Public Safety II black and blue 86-65.

CHC had a total of five players finish in double figures with Tudela and Raho combining for 23 points not to mention priceless rebounding and intimidation underneath the basket.

Former Ol’Aces great Jerry Ayuyu was the highpoint man for DPS II with 25 points with Ed Manalili coming up with 13.

The government league resumes tomorrow evening with DPS I facing DPS II in the 6:30pm first game. The 8pm second game then pits Office of Public Auditor against undefeated Public School System.

First Game

NMC 101 – T. Diaz 39, Garcia 24, R. Diaz 11, Palacios 10, J. Diaz 5. John 4, Duenas 4, Castro 3.

DCCA 89 – Rangamar 20, Reyes 16, Peliseman 14, Iginoef 13, Dela Cruz 11, Dikito 4, Tudela 3, Cabrera 3, Rogolofoi 3, Pua 2.

Scoring by quarters: 25-30, 50-51, 74-68, 101-89.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Jess Pabula.

Second Game

CHC 86 – Kalen 24, Seidler 14, Diaz 12, Tudela 12, Raho 11, Rabauliman 9, Guerrero 4, Duenas 1.

DPS II 65 – Ayuyu 25, Manalilu 13, Hocog 8, Norita 7, Sablan 4, Ogomoro 3, Mareham 3, Stephen 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-11, 44-20, 68-39, 86-65.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Mike White.