3 teams win debuts in Shirley’s caging

 The first game of the season in the 3rd Annual Shirley’s Coffee Shop Invitational Basketball League went into overtime with defending champion Pacific Islands Club/NVM outclassing the host, 94-89, last Sunday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Six players scored for PIC in overtime to eke out a five-point win over Shirley’s, which drew contributions from only three players in the extra five minutes. The season opener ended in a deadlock at regulation, 78-all.

In overtime, Zach Diaz made four points for PIC, while James Abuy and Peter Lizama added three each. Glenn Aquino, Ponce Rasa, and Ziddy Johanes scored two points each. J.R. Barrios and Kae Bernardo had five points apiece for Shirley’s in overtime, while Wowie Abuel chipped in two.

Shirley’s lost its first game despite leading by 13 after three quarters, 68-55. The host was held to five field goals in the fourth period, allowing PIC to recover and force overtime. PIC hit three triples in the fourth frame and Aquino, Rasa, and Abuy teamed up in bringing the defending champions back in the match.

Rasa led all scorers with his 26 points, while Abuy contributed 19. Bernardo top-scored for Shirley’s with 24, while Rommel Usi and Errol Peredo nailed 22 and 18, respectively, but were both scoreless in the fourth.

Mobil 83, Hyatt 77

In the second game, Mobil drew solid games from Jun Estolas and Marvin Rabauliman for a six-point win over Hyatt Regency Saipan.

Estolas and Rabaulian tallied 25 points each, canning timely baskets in the fourth quarter to foil Hyatt’s repeated comeback bids. Estolas recorded 16 of his total points in the fourth period, while Rabauliman notched eight.

Dan Mateo anchored Hyatt’s offense with his 16 markers. He hit two triples in the third, while Raymart Castro added eight, moving Hyatt within five entering the fourth canto, 53-58, after facing a 31-45 halftime deficit.

DFS 76, Fiesta 67

In the last game of the day, former CNMI National Team players Jack Lizama and Pete Iguel canned crucial baskets in the last two minutes to lift DFS Galleria to a nine-point victory.

Lizama fired a triple, turning a slim 68-67 lead to a 71-67 cushion, with 1:56 left on the clock. Iguel then followed it up with a fastbreak layup, while Lizama later made a short jumper to seal the victory.

Fiesta was scoreless in the last 2:15 of the match, missing its last five attempts from downtown. Fiesta dropped its opening game despite leading by double digits in the second quarter.

Iguel paced DFS with 21 points, while Barcinas and Lizama added 19 and 13, respectively.

Meanwhile, 10 teams joined the opening ceremony of this year’s Shirley’s caging with Wushin Corp. winning the Best in Uniform award and Fiesta’s Kathy Arnold getting the Best Muse plum.

First Game

PIC/NVM 94 – Rasa 27, Abuy 19, Barbo 14, Diaz 10, Aquino 8, Lizama 5, Yabut 4, Tamayo 3, Fernando 2.

Shirley’s 89 – Bernardo 24, Usi 22, Peredo 18, Catungal 8, Sedillo 6, Barrios 5, Abuel 4.

Scoring by quarters: 18-11, 34-40, 55-68, 78-78, 94-89.

Second Game

Mobil 83 – Estolas 25, Rabauliman 25, Demapan 12, Ruluked 9, Gapor 5, Wenceslao 3, Jose 2.

Hyatt 77 – Mateo 16, Durant 14, Aquino 11, Castro 10, Palacios 9, Devero 8, Umali 6, Tumaquip 4, Alipio 3.

Scoring by quarters: 25-15, 45-31, 58-53, 83-77.

Third Game

DFS Galleria 76 -Iguel 21, Barcinas 19, Lizama 13, Guiab 6, Rivera 6, Sablan 5, Marino 4.

Fiesta Resort 67 – Mendoza 21, Talania 20, Moises 12, Esdrelon 6, Macoto 4, Jinang 3, Joyner 1.

Scoring by quarters: 10-12, 26-33, 49-47, 76-67.