Diplomats dry out Marianas Water

Riding on momentum built from posting their first win of the season, the Diplomats strolled to the Constriction Material Supply Basketball Court in Gualo Rai on Monday and didn’t leave until doubling their season’s win total with a 101-85 victory over Marianas Water, which had won their previous two games.

The Diplomats got off to another good start, getting off on the right foot offensively as eight different players managed to put the ball through the hoop for a 31-17 advantage.

Shooter Sonny Lerio found his touch in the second period and went off for 10 points, but his effort still was not good enough to rally his Marianas Water troops as the Diplomats continued to fire away, outscoring their opponents 23-16 for a commanding 21-point cushion, 54-33.

Seeing the Diplomats’ balanced scoring working like a charm, Marianas Water put the same idea into their attack and finally put up more points than the Diplomats in the third period.

Seven of the eight Marianas Water cagers scored in the period, helping the team outscore the Diplomats 24-21. But it hardly made a dent on the Diplomats’ big lead as they entered the fourth and final quarter comfortably ahead, 57-75.

Lerio did all he could to bring life back to his team, but his 20-point fourth quarter explosion was all for naught as the Diplomats closed out the match with plenty to spare.

Emil De Belen and Edwin Guzman led the Diplomats with 24 and 22 points, respectively, while Eric Pineda chipped in 12 points. Lerio and Leo Apelo paced Marianas Water with 37 and 20 points.

In the second game, lanky Badong Camacho torched the nets for 34 points as MDX bounced back from two straight losses with a 77-70 victory over Boholanos.

MDX trailed at the break, but a 14-point eruption by Camacho in the third period sparked a 32-21 run to give MDX the lead, one they would not relinquish the rest of the way.

Mark Llagas supported Camacho with 16 points, while Johnny Badilles and Ian Castro led Boholanos with 32 and 20 points.

The loss dropped Boholanos’ record to 0-3.

First game

Diplomats 101—De Belen 24, Guzman 22, Pineda 12, Agbanlog 9, Canlas 8, Borja 6, Hilario 5, Limpin 5, Fulgencio 4, Tan 2, Cuyugan 2, Aglubat 2.

Marianas Water 85—Lerio 37, Apelo 20, Villanueva 8, Bobis 6, Dimegillio 6, Dolotina 3, Suave 2, Garciano 2, Divina 1.

Scoring by quarters: 31-17, 54-33, 75-57, 101-85.

Second game

MDX 77—Camacho 34, Llagas 16, Pablo 6, Canedo 6, Diyco 5, Malasarte 5, Untalan 2.

Boholanos 70—Badilles 32, Castro 20, Mumar 4, Rosauro 4, Lunzaga 4, Miday 4, Alfonso 2.

Scoring by quarters: 13-14, 28-31, 60-52, 77-70.