Aqua Resort, McDonald’s draw first blood

Defending champion Aqua Resort Club didn’t miss a beat, while newcomer McDonald’s didn’t show any opening day jitters, as the 2005 season of the Mobil Oil Invitational Co-ed Basketball League unfolded Thursday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the first game, Aqua Resort bucked a slow start and upended Commonwealth Utilities Corp. in a low-scoring contest, 62-48.

Bull-strong Oscar Sablan and playmaker George Poquiz caught the defending champs flatfooted in the early goings and posted a 17-14 lead after one quarter of play.

Former youth standout Ziddy Johannes and last season’s MVP Bogs Dayrit, however, went to work in the second quarter, pumping in all but six of Aqua Resort’s second quarter output to give their team a 35-26 edge at the break.

Aqua Resort continued to play better in the third with four different players making their marks in the score column. In contrast, CUC began to lose steam with Sablan its only source of firepower.

With the hoteliers outscoring CUC 13-6, Aqua Resort entered the fourth and final quarter on top by 14 points, 48-32.

CUC played with a little more fire in their bellies and outscored Aqua Resort 16-14 in the payoff period. But it was another case of too little, too late, as Aqua Resort held on for the win.

Dayrit and 6’3” behemoth Dalewin Cortez led Aqua Resort with 14 points apiece, while Johannes added 13.

Sablan took scoring honors for the game with 15 and Poquiz chipped in 14 points in the setback.

In the second game, Joseph Achas ripped the net with seven triples in the second quarter that tilted the game in McDonald’s favor in their 77-69 win over Hyatt Regency Saipan.

After Hyatt took the first quarter, 16-12, Achas fired away from the land of plenty and connected on five straight rainbow attempts to give McDonald’s the driver’s seat for good.

He shot two more for good measure, allowing the fastfood chain to post a 38-31 spread at halftime.

Achas was a marked man after that but luckily for McDonald’s Michael Achas and Francis Rebuyon was there to take care of business in the third and fourth quarters.

The younger Achas and the lefty Rebuyon fired eight and 11 points after intermission, as McDonald’s repulsed Hyatt’s late game charge to win its Mobil league debut.

Despite not scoring in the second half, Joseph Achas still led the Golden Arches with 23 points, Rebuyon added 15 and Michael Achas 13 in the victory.

Silky-smooth swingman Mike Umali paced Hyatt with 16 markers, while fellow high-flyers Ed Arriola and Leo Itaas were good for 11 and 10 points, respectively.

First Game

ARC 62 – Dayrit 14, Cortez 14, Johannes 13, Jones 4, Alcantara 4, Garcia 4, Arellano 4, San Nicolas 3, Smithee 2.

CUC 48 – Sablan 15, Poquiz 14, Lanizo 7, Dela Cruz 4, Norita 4, Marchades 2, Elameto 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-17, 35-26, 48-32, 62-48.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Ray Lizama.

Second Game

McDonald’s 77 – J. Achas 23, Rebuyon 15, M. Achas 13, Gapun 11, Lipone 9, Yang 4, Balbuena 2.

Hyatt 69 – Umali 16, Arriola 11, Itaas 10, Acesor 6, Cruz 6, Esguerra 6, Daha 4, Vargas 4, Codog 3, Calub 2, Polapelieo 2.

Scoring by quarters: 12-16, 38-31, 54-53, 77-69.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Ray Lizama.