DOL nips CHC, NMC evens record

Northern Marianas College and Department of Labor posted contrasting wins in the continuation of the 2004 Government Basketball League Wednesday evening at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the first game, NMC got 67 points from their starting backcourt of Tony Diaz and Jester Garcia, as the defending champions routed Saipan Mayor’s Office, 99-78.

The win was the second straight for NMC, and gave the team a .500 record following a 1-3 start.

Diaz and Garcia went to work early, scoring all but four of the team’s total output in the first quarter. But Mayor’s Office were able to hang in there and were down by just three points, 19-22, heading into the second quarter.

NMC’s dynamic duo slowed down in the second quarter. In contrast Mayor’s Office’s Ando Benavente heated up, as the game remained close with both teams separated by just a basket, 42-40, in favor of NMC at the break.

Diaz and Garcia returned to top form in the third quarter to the dismay of Mayor’s Office, however. The two combo-guards shot the lights out of the gym, and this time scored all but two points of the team’s third quarter production, as NMC blew the game wide open and led 71-56 after three quarters of play.

Benavente got some help in the payoff period with playmaker Jerome Demapan finally making his presence felt. But the pair’s tag-team effort hardly mattered, as NMC went on another run to close out the ballgame and guaranteed the win.

Diaz and Garcia were the only two NMC players to log in double-digit scores after finishing with 36 and 31 points, respectively. Benavente was brilliant in defeat with 33, while Marty Taisacan and Demapan added 21 and 15 markers.

In the second game, DOL narrowly escaped a determined Commonwealth Health Center team, 55-54.

Manpower woes hounded DOL the entire game with only a few players able to suit up for the San Antonio-based agency. Point guard Mitch Aaron led the group with 20 points, while leading scorer Steve Rasa struggled with 15.

Ken Kalen paced CHC in the loss with 15 markers, while Vince Rabauliman and Joe Tudela each chipped in 12.

The government league continues tonight with Department of Community and Cultural Affairs taking on Office of Public Auditor in the 6:30pm first game. The second game at 8pm pits Department of Public Safety I against Mayor’s Office.

First Game

NMC 99 – T. Diaz 36, Garcia 31, John 8, MacDuff 7, Castro 5, Satur 4, Basa 4, Duenas 2, J. Diaz 2.

Saipan Mayor’s Office 78 – Benavente 33, Taisacan 21, Demapan 15, Tupas 6, Tudela 3.

Scoring by quarters: 22-19, 42-40, 71-56, 99-78.

Referees: Jess Pabula and Joe Mettao.

Second Game

DOL 55 – Aaron 20, Rasa 15, Wesley 12, Igitol 5.

CHC 54 – Kalen 15, Tudela 12, Rabauliman 12, Raho 7, Duenas 3, Diaz 3, Kindipan 2.

Scoring by quarters: 12-22, 22-34, 38-43, 55-54.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.