DCCA, DPS I post contrasting wins

Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and Department of Public Safety I defeated their respective opponents in the 2004 Government Basketball League Wednesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

But while DCCA had to come from behind to defeat Department of Labor, 86-84, in the first game, DPS I had a stroll in the park in their game against Commonwealth Ports Authority in the second, 98-89.

DCCA and Labor couldn’t have been more even steven in the first half, as the opening quarter ended in a 22-all tie and second in a 49-all deadlock.

Steve Rasa kept Labor in equal terms with their rivals pouring in 23 points, while Elias Rangamar waxed hot for DCCA with 27.

Labor, however, began to pull away in the third quarter. Rasa finally got a Robin to tandem with his Batman, as Tim Wesley equaled his seven points in the third quarter to help Labor erect a 72-66 spread going into the fourth and final quarter.

Labor continued on their roll in the payoff period. But DCCA buckled down to work in the closing minutes of the ballgame.

Joey Dela Cruz, who momentarily set aside his baseball cleats to see action for his first love, led DCCA’s late-game charge with nine points in the final 10 minutes. Rangamar also hit two key triples to narrow the gap.

But the biggest heroes during crunch time were silent assassin Ben Pelisamen and ageless warrior Tony Rogolifoi.

With Labor up by a point, 84-83, Pelisamen trooped to the 15-foot line and canned two free throws to put his team ahead by a point less than 20 seconds left in the contest.

In the ensuing Labor offensive, Rogolifoi forced Rasa to throw the ball out of bounds reverting possession back to DCCA. Pelisamen then hit one of two charities to peg the final score, as Labor misfired on a Hail Mary shot.

Rangamar led all scorers with 35, while Dela Cruz and Pelisamen added 25 and 17 markers for DCCA.

Rasa led the way for Labor with 31 with Wesley and George Poquiz chipping in with 23 and 10 points, respectively.

DPS I had no such trouble against CPA, as league-leading scorer Elias Saralu frolicked from the inside as well as the outside to lead his surging team to victory.

Saralu at times formed a deadly triumvirate with sweet-shooting swingman Peter Camacho and pint-sized playmaker Joe Ito, as DPS I led from wire-to-wire to post the lopsided win.

Saralu finished with 35 points, while Camacho and Ito pumped in 16 apiece for DPS I. Jawn Joyner was terrific in defeat with 26 points, while BANMI president Mike Muna turned back the hands of time with a 24-point effort.

The government league resumes tonight with DCCA taking on DPS I in the 6:30pm opener. The nightcap at 8pm then pits Procurement & Supply against Tinian.

First Game

DCCA 86 – Rangamar 35, Dela Cruz 25, Pelisamen 17, Iginoef 5, Rogolifoi 2, Dikito 2.

DOL 84 – Rasa 31, Wesley 23, Poquiz 10, Ayuyu 8, Sablan 5, Aaron 4, Tudela 2.

Scoring by quarters: 22-22, 49-49, 66-72, 86-84.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game

DPS I 98 – Saralu 31, Camacho 16, Ito 16, Quitugua 8, Farley 2, Taitano 2, Olopai 2.

CPA 89 – Joyner 26, Muna 24, Pangelinan 20, Tagabuel 12, Borja 4, Sablan 3.

Scoring by quarters: 23-15, 41-36, 61-51, 98-89.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Mike White.