Dai-Ichi, Toyota win again

Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach once again called on the basketball talents of Noe Ohohira, while Microl-Toyota leaned on the heroics of Leo Factor as both teams posted triumphs Thursday night in the 2005 Mobil Oil Marianas Co-ed Invitational Basketball League.

Okohira literally had no peer in Dai-Ichi’s 100-68 shellacking of Commonwealth Utilities Corp. in the first game at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Japanese cage belle pumped in 12 points, highlighted by two hits from downtown, as Dai-Ichi took control of the ballgame leading 30-10 after the opening quarter

Tom Alegre then turned back the hands of time, muscling his way for 10 second-quarter points, as Dai-Ichi didn’t allow CUC back in the contest by taking a 56-26 spread at the break.

With Okohira back in harness, Dai-Ichi only continued to build its lead against CUC. She poured in another dozen-point performance as the hoteliers widened the gap, 83-53, after three full quarters of play.

Both teams then just went through the motions in the fourth quarter with the outcome beyond doubt.

Okohira led six Dai-Ichi players scoring nine points or more with 24, while Alegre and Ariel Jinang added 17 and 14 points.

Jeff Norita and Jimmy Marquez paced CUC in the loss with 24 and 17 markers, respectively.

Toyota, for its part, edged Hyatt Regency Saipan 91-89 in the second game in large part because of the steady free throw shooting of the 5’9” Factor.

Ahead most of the way, the 2002 champions suddenly had a game in their hands when Hyatt, behind high-flyers Mike Umali and Leo Itaas, rallied in the third quarter to take the lead.

However, with about two minutes to go Factor took the ballgame over, attacking the teeth of Hyatt’s defense and in doing so got himself into the free throw line.

Factor pegged the final score on two free throws, giving him nine out of 12 attempts in the fourth and 28 points total in the ballgame. His heroics also preserved a brilliant 34-point outing by Noel Calvo.

Umali and Itaas made up for the absence of fellow aerial acrobat Edd Arriola scoring 28 and 24 points, respectively, in the loss.

First Game

Dai-Ichi 100 – Okohira 24, Alegre 17, Jinang 14, Macoto 12, Esdrelon 11, Galag 9, Tobias 7, Lizo 4, Douglas 2.

CUC 68 – Norita 24, Marquez 17, Sablan 14, Elameto 5, Lieto 4, Mizutani 3.

Scoring by quarters: 30-10, 56-26, 83-53, 100-68.

Referees: Abner Venus and Rey Lizama.

Second Game

Toyota 91 – Calvo 34, Factor 28, Catalla 9, Abuy 8, Capuyon 8, De Guzman 4.

Hyatt 89 – Umali 28, Itaas 24, Villanueva 11, Minori 9, Calub 7, Esguerra 4, Rama 3, Dimalaog 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-13, 47-39, 65-67, 91-89.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.