670 Sonics win debut, top 670 Akkeri

The 670 Sonics’ Melvin Cadiang, left, and Sean Rabasto, right, hound the 670 Akkeri’s Ben Lisua during their game in the MIBF island-wide caging last Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Jon Perez)

The 670 Sonics got off to a good start after beating 670 Akkeri, 93-80, in their debut in the 2018 MIBF Island-wide Basketball League last Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The 670 Sonics banked on old reliables to win their first game of the season. Matt Duenas top-scored for the 670 Sonics with his 18 points, while Melvin Cadiang chipped in 14. J.R. Ngeskebei and Jaymar De Guzman also finished in twin digits after recording 13 and 11, respectively.

Ngeskebei made his presence felt early in the match, dropping 7 of his total output in the opening canto to lift the 670 Sonics to a 19-14 lead.

The 670 Akkeri fell behind, as it struggled offensively in the first few minutes of the opening quarter. 670 Akkeri’s first 5 points all came from the foul line before it made four field goals.

The 670 Akkeri still could not buy baskets in streak in the second period, while De Guzman picked up where Ngeskebei left off, recording 9 points to increase the 670 Sonics’ advantage at the break, 39-31.

The 670 Sonics went on to earn a double-digit spread in the third period and this time it was Duenas who delivered the goods for the eventual winners, as he logged 9 points in the penultimate frame for their 61-51 lead.

The 670 Sonics then protected the driver’s seat in the fourth canto despite the repeated comeback bids of the 670 Akkeri. Cadiang stepped up in the final period, firing 10 of his total production in the payoff quarter. Duenas and Sean Rabasto added 6 each to keep the 670 Sonics’ safe distance and spoil the 670 Akkeri’s debut.

Fred Litulumar had 14 markers on a losing effort for the 670 Akkeri.

It took a while for the 670 Sonics and 670 Akkeri to play their first match in the league that kicked off last March 19, as both teams and their coaches had to prepare for off-island tournaments.

Meanwhile, the Lady Ol’Aces made it two wins in a row after topping the winless Docomo Rollers, 67-49, in the curtain-raiser last Monday.

Halle Kenty, Taz Deleon Guerrero and Lia Rangamar teamed up in giving the Lady Ol’Aces a double-digit winning margin.

Kenty had a game-high 19 points, Deleon Guerrero scored 13, and Rangamar tallied 11, as the trio alternately led the Lady Ol’Aces’ offense to counter the strong debut game of Dani Nowicki for the Docomo Rollers. The Saipan Community School teacher recorded 19 points in her first game in the league.

Women’s Division
Lady Ol’Aces 67 — Kenty 19, Deleon Guerrero 13, L. Rangamar 11, J. Omar 6, C. Camacho 6, K. Rangamar 4, B. Camacho 2, K. Omar 2.
Docomo Rollers 49 — Nowicki 19, Pena 12, Garon 10, Lumabi 5, Francisco 3.

Men’s Division
670 Sonics 93 — M. Duenas 18, Cadiang 14, Ngeskebei 13, De Guzman 11, Rabasto 8, Rafols 6, Javier 5, Aranda 5, Fidelino 2, E. Duenas 2.
670 Akkeri 80 — Litulumar 14, P. Factor 12, Lisua 12, Pangelinan 12, Kwon 11, A. Factor 6, Rios 4, Teregeyo 4, Ogumoro 2, Tenorio 2.
Scoring by quarters: 19-14, 39-31, 61-51, 93-80.