Labor schools NMC, P&S wins

Department of Labor and Procurement & Supply slipped past separate opponents in the 2004 Government Basketball League Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the first game, P&S leaned on the steady free throw shooting of Jack Palacios and Oscar Masga in the endgame to turn back Commonwealth Ports Authority, 95-91.

Both teams were equally matched and it showed the entire game.

Bull-strong John Palacios was unstoppable in the first quarter but his yeoman’s effort was not enough to give P&S a comfortable lead, as CPA managed to stick around, down by just a point, 27-28, going into the second canto.

P&S spread the scoring in the second and it worked wonders, helping them to a 48-42 advantage at halftime.

But that 6-point lead proved to be a luxury for P&S. Led by sharpshooter Jerome Reyes and human pogo stick Jawn Joyner, CPA whittled down their deficit once again to a solitary point, 69-70, going into the fourth and final quarter.

In the payoff period, both teams would go neck and neck until P&S separated themselves in the homestretch, thanks in no small part to Palacios and Masga’s deadeye from the 15-foot line. Palacios shot 3-for-3 and Masga 2-for-2 in the endgame.

John Palacios went on to lead all scorers with 31 points. Brother Jack added 24 and Masga 16. Reyes and Joyner paced CPA with 29 and 25 markers, respectively. The loss snapped CPA’s two-game winning streak.

In the second game, DOL withstood a 42-point performance from one-man fastbreak Tony Diaz, as they turned back the defending champions 92-88.

The 5’7” Diaz heated up for 40 points in the first three quarters but tuckered out at the end, spelling doom for the Proa. DOL’s main man Steve Rasa, on the other hand, stepped up when it mattered most, powering his way for 14 points in the fourth.

Rasa went on to score 37 points to top score for DOL. Center Tim Wesley and sharpshooter Beverly Igitol chipped in 23 and 11 points in the victory.

Jester Garcia and Dave Palacios supplemented Diaz’s explosion with 20 and 13 points, respectively.

The government league takes a break for Constitution Day today but will resume on Friday. The first game will have Department of Community and Cultural Affairs taking on NMC in the 6:30pm curtain raiser. The nightcap beginning at 8pm will then pit Commonwealth Health Center against Department of Public Safety II.

First Game

P&S 95 – Jo. Palacios 31, Ja. Palacios 24, Masga 16, Iglecias 10, Diaz 5, Takai 3, J. Guerrero 2, F. Guerrero 2, Pangelinan 2.

CPA 91 – Reyes 29, Joyner 25, Sablan 14, J. Pangelinan 9, Muna 5, Sablan 5, Borja 2.

Scoring by quarters: 28-27, 48-42, 70-69, 95-91.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game

DOL 92 – Rasa 37, Wesley 23, Igitol 11, Ayuyu 7, Aaron 4, Reyes 4, Tagabuel 3, Paraiso 3.

NMC 88 – T. Diaz 42, Garcia 20, Palacios 13, Castro 6, R. Diaz 4, J. Diaz 3.

Scoring by quarters: 23-21, 49-41, 70-65, 92-88.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Noel Delos Santos.