CPA, Mobil post contrasting wins

Host Mobil Oil Marianas and Commonwealth Ports Authority took different routes to victory in the 2005 Mobil Oil Marianas Co-ed Invitational Basketball League Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the first game, Mobil had its hands full against a scrappy Pacific Development Inc. squad before prevailing in a high-scoring affair 115-110.

It took a couple of 18-point quarters and a gargantuan 59-point effort from unstoppable Andres “Jhun” Estolas for Mobil to escape with the win.

PDI managed to keep it close the entire game. After leading 27-25 after the opening quarter, the 2003 Mobil champions were down by just 49-52 at the break and tied it up 83-83 after three full quarters of play.

Much of the credit was due to Japanese cage belle Saori Asano and 2005 Government Basketball League MVP Ed Diaz, who each poured in 23 points, 17 points the first 30 minutes of play.

Estolas, meanwhile, was his usual explosive self on the court, completing acrobatic layups in bushels and bombing away from long-distance as if his life depended on it en route to recording 41 points with a full quarter to go.

With Asano sitting down, however, PDI lost effectively half of its double-barreled threat and another 18-point quarter by Estolas all but secured the win for Mobil.

Swingman Errol Peredo and strongman Junar Guiab supported Estolas with 27 and 11 points in the win, while Diaz and Asano led PDI with 24 and 23 points, respectively.

In the second game, CPA coach Mike Muna was bluffing after all when he said he would lose on purpose against the CNMI Women’s National Team as his team took the win 104-57.

Center Jawn Joyner and guard Dave Sablan scored their usual points—with 24 and 21—but CPA finally got a third scorer when Charlie Sablan added 16 points.

Emy Oiterong played well in the loss for the Nationals, pumping in 14 points, while veteran Connie Camacho again finished in double figures with 13.

First Game

Mobil 115 – Estolas 59, Peredo 27, Guiab 11, Tuquip 10, Peleno 4, Manglona 2, Deocares 2.

PDI 110 – Diaz 24, Asano 23, Acosta 15, Quiambao 12, Guerrero 12, Ballesteros 10, Guinto 11, Teregeyo 3.

Scoring by quarters: 25-27, 52-49, 83-83, 115-110.
Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game

CPA 104 – Joyner 24, D. Sablan 21, C. Sablan 16, Guerrero 10, Mizutani 9, Reyes 8, Gerads 5, Muna 4, Camacho 4, R. Sablan 2.

CNMI Women’s Nationals 57 – Oiterong 14, Camacho 13, Mobel 8, Igitol 8, Che. Ruluked 6, Cha. Ruluked 6, Ogarto 2.

Scoring by quarters: 30-19, 59-31, 75-45, 104-57.

Referees: Abner Venus and Rey Lizama.