Men’s basketball team wallop Chuuk in MBT debut

The CNMI men’s basketball team shocked the crowd at the University of Guam by routing Chuuk 103-52 yesterday in the opening game of the 2004 Micronesian Basketball Tournament.

Playing coach Elias Rangamar’s boys started the game like a house on fire and put the Chuuk team on its proper place.

The CNMI surprised Chuuk by pressing from the backcourt, which led to easy transition baskets by Rangamar’s wingmen.

After taking the opening quarter, 24-9, the CNMI continued to take the game to Chuuk in the second. After Chuuk opened the quarter with a triple, veteran guard Tony Diaz answered with back-to-back baskets.

Center Abong Camacho, outside shooter Jester Garcia, and swingman Peter Camacho soon joined the fray as the lead ballooned even more.

An 18-foot jumper by starting power forward Ambrose Ogumoro gave the CNMI a 20-point advantage, 42-22, with 4:02 remaining in the half.

The route was on and starting center Oscar Ada put the crowd further into frenzy after swatting away an attempted breakaway layup by Chuuk. The CNMI went on a 15-5 roll to close the half and entered the locker room with a fat 59-27 lead.

It was more of the same at the start of the third quarter with CNMI executing its offense to perfection, while suffocating Chuuk’s scorers on defense.

John Santos and Mark Wallace showed spunk on both sides of the floor as Chuuk struggled to keep up with the team’s athleticism.

The lead swung between 30-37 in the third before a last-second shot by Diaz gave the CNMI a 76-37 lead going into the fourth and final quarter.

There was still no letting up in the fourth quarter, as Team CNMI continued to fire on all cylinders against a demoralized Chuuk side.

After Peter Camacho missed the back end of his two free throws, the ball was kicked out to Jester Garcia who bombed away from 3-point country, giving the team an 82-37 spread with 7:39 left.

A little later, Rangamar experimented a bit and sent his twin towers – Abong Camacho and Ada – to further terrorize the Chuuk side.

With the win beyond doubt, Rangamar rejoined his players on the floor and still found a way to contribute. His rare four-point play with less than two minutes on the game clock gave the CNMI a 50-point, 95-45.

Rangamar started the game with Ada at center Ogumoro and Gabriel White at forward, and Danny Barcinas and Jeremy Winkfield at the backcourt. But by the time the final horn sounded, Team CNMI had had contributions from just about everyone.

Next up for the islanders at 9am today is the team from the Marshall Islands. (With a report from Ricky Itaas)