Toyota chomps on McDonald’s

Microl-Toyota was on the receiving end of a super-sized effort from McDonald’s before a big fourth quarter propelled the team to a 105-96 victory in the first game of Thursday’s 2005 Mobil Oil Marianas Co-ed Invitational Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

With high-flying Michael Achas, bull-strong Francis Rebuyon, and underrated William Upone combining for all but two of the Golden Arches’ 24 third quarter output, McDonald’s turned a 46-45 lead at the break into a 72-68 spread going into the fourth and final quarter.

Both teams matched each other point for point in the opening 10 minutes of action, which ended in a 24-24 deadlock.

But Microl-Toyota caught fire in the payoff period, exploding for 37 points, while limiting McDonald’s to 24.

The fourth-quarter surge was a total team effort as four Microl-Toyota players poured in six points or better in the final 10 minutes to complete the rally.

Long-range shooter Rodney Catalla was the catalyst of the comeback, scattering 11 in fourth.

Leo Factor, forced to play center in place of Jorge De Guzman, paced Microl-Toyota in scoring with a game-high 32 points, while Catalla was not far behind with 30. Rebuyon fired 30 and Achas 22 in the loss.

In the second game of the twinbill, Daichi Hotel Saipan Beach had a field day against the CNMI Women’s National Basketball Team and cruised to an 80-32 win.

Do-it-all swingman Elmer Esdrelon led four hoteliers in double figures with 21 points, while Japanese cage belle Noi Okohira chipped in 13 playing against an entire team of made up of women basketeers.

Veteran cage belle Connie Camacho led the nationals with 12 points, which included two hits from downtown.

First Game

Toyota 105 – Factor 32, Catalla 30, Sablan 15, Cabrera 8, Mostales 7, Abuy 5, Masga 4, Calvo 4.

McDonald’s 96 – Rebuyon 31, M. Achas 22, Gapuz 17, Upone 15, R. Achas 4, L. Achas 3, Tang 2, J. Achas 2.

Scoring by quarters: 24-24, 45-46, 68-72, 105-96.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game

Dai-Ichi 80 – Esdrelon 21, Algere 14, Okohira 13, Galag 10, Macoto 6, Tobias 6, Jinang 4, Santos 4, Lizo 2.

CNMI Women’s Nationals 32 – Camacho 12, Ruluked 6, Cha. Oietetong 4, Che. 3, Everly 3, Ogarto 2, Elayda 2, Cruz 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-7, 36-19, 60-26, 80-32.

Referees: Abner Venus and Rey Lizama.