Strong play lifts ARFF, Legislature

The Legislature Lawmakers and Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Fire Dawgs had just enough firepower to survive in Wednesday’s edition of the 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Lawmakers were given a good run for their money but managed to outlast the guns of the Customs Inspectors, 63-58.

With outside sniper Sim Iramk connecting on a couple of bombs and Fernando Sanchez adding another in the first 10 minutes of play, the Lawmakers were able to take an early four-point lead, 20-16.

The Inspectors weren’t going away and continued to pressure their opponents with respectable performances in the second and third periods. The team inched closer before the close of the first half and trailed by only three points, 30-33, at the break, and moved even closer after the third quarter and headed into the final stanza down by just a point, 43-44.

Donny Fejeran tried to put his team in his shoulders as he drilled in 10 straight points in the fourth, but two triples by Iramk and seven points from Ray Duenas enabled the Lawmakers to hold on for the win.

Duenas finished with a game-high 23 points, while Iramk and Bernard Cabrera supported him with 17 and 12 points to lead the Lawmakers.

Fejeran paced the Inspectors with 16 points, while Dennis Reyes and Poland Masaharu contributed 13 and 10 points.

In the second game, league second-leading scorer Jerome Reyes continued to shine on offense as he scored half of his team’s points as ARFF defeated Office of the Public Auditor, 69-63.

The game was tight from the get-go, with the two teams matching each other point for point in the opening quarter and were tied 14-14 heading into the second stanza.

Reyes, who had eight points in the first, added another 10 in the second and 12 more in the third as ARFF widened their lead to nine points, 54-45.

The lead shrunk courtesy of OPA’s relentless effort. However, Reyes and company were able to pull off the win with big plays in the end.

Reyes sizzled for 35 points, while Jawn Joyner added 12 points for ARFF.

Jeff Quitugua and Chris Camacho led OPA with 17 and 16 points.

First Game
Lawmakers 63 – Duenas 23, Iramk 17, Cabrera 12, Sanchez 5, Olaitiman 2, Besong 2, Sablan 2.
Inspectors 58 – Fejeran 16, Reyes 13, Masaharu 10, Santos 6, Atalig 5, Torwal 2, R. Lizama 2, D. Lizama 2, Pangelinan 2.
Scoring by quarters: 20-16, 33-30, 44-43, 63-58.
Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game
Fire Dawgs 69 – Reyes 35, Joyner 12, Torres 8, Sanchez 2, Uchel 2, C. Sablan 2, Diaz 2, Malwelbog 2, Mizutani 2.
OPA 63 – Quitugua 17, C. Camacho 16, D. Camacho 7, J. Camacho 7, Dela Cruz 5, Pangelinan 3, Torres 3, Joab 2, Sasamoto 2, Castinares 1.
Scoring by quarters: 14-14, 33-32, 54-45, 69-63.
Referees: Mike White and Jess Pabula.