Labor nips defending champs in opener

The Department of Labor had one thing in mind as they opened the 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League Wednesday night, and that was to avenge their loss to the Department of Public Safety No Zone in last year’s championship game

Although not as sweet, it was good enough for Labor as they beat their rivals in a 77-72 down-the-wire victory at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Former National team cager Steve Rasa penetrated the No Zone defense on many occasions and worked his magic for a game-high 36 points in leading Labor to victory.

With last year’s loss still fresh in their minds, the Labor crew ran on all cylinders and quickly swung favor to their corner by opening with a 19-4 run, 12 points coming from beyond the arc. Rasa wounded up with nine points in the period, which ended with Labor up 24-12.

Fortunately for No Zone, their cold shooting did not carry over into the second quarter as Jerry Ayuyu, John Sablan, and John Palacios each drilled in at least two buckets, while Ed Diaz knocked in a triple to help No Zone outscore Labor, 28-15. With that, DPS headed to the break down by just nine points, 30-39.

No Zone continued to push hard in hopes of erasing their deficit and opened the second half with a 9-1 run that pulled the team to within a point, 39-40, with a little over six minutes remaining in the third period. They finally took the lead when center Ned Norita sank a triple, 44-42. The two teams exchanged baskets on quick transition plays, and by the time the buzzer sounded, Labor was up by only a point, 50-49.

It was a neck-and-neck battle in the fourth quarter as DPS refused to give up and continued to keep pace with Labor. With the game on the line, Rasa carried his team on his shoulders as he fought for rebounds and worked hard in the paint to help his team hold on to the lead.

Each time Labor seemed to have a run going, No Zone’s John Sablan would answer with a jumper as the shooter found his touch and nailed 12 points in the period. No Zone was down by three, 72-75, with time running down and had a chance to tie the game, but was not successful in a couple triple attempts. Labor rebounded the ball with four ticks left on the clock and Rasa was all alone for a layup that was the icing on the cake.

Mitch Aaron and Charlie Peters also had strong outings for Labor and finished with 14 and 11 points.

Sablan led No Zone with 22 points, while Diaz and Ayuyu contributed 18 and 13 points.

In the second game, the Public School System had its way against the Northern Marianas College Proa en route to a 102-79 victory.

Outside sniper Taj Van Buren, who had earlier expressed interest in trying out for the CNMI National basketball team, had a golden opportunity to show National team coach Rufino Aguon what he had.

With Aguon suiting up for NMC, Van Buren made a strong case as he bombed away for three bombs from long distance and helped PSS take a 22-17 first quarter lead.

Van Buren added another couple of long-range jumpers in the second quarter, but it wasn’t enough to keep NMC from closing in, 39-41.

Guard Stoney Villagomez and Peter Mendiola then fueled a strong run for PSS in the third, as the team outscored NMC, 32-14, to pull away and close strong.

Van Buren and Mendiola led PSS with 19 and 17 points, while Villagomez and Gary Lashley had 15 points apiece.

Kevin Aldan and Kevin Castro paced NMC with 20 and 17 points, while Oscar Masga added 12 points.

First Game
DOL 77 – Rasa 36, Aaron 14, Peters 11, Mostales 7, Fujihira 7, Poquiz 2.
No Zone 72 – Jo. Sablan 22, Diaz 18, Ayuyu 13, Norita 9, Palacios 8, Hocog 2.
Scoring by quarters: 24-12, 39-30, 50-49, 77-72.
Referees: Jess Pacheco and Dado Vistal.

Second Game
PSS 102 – Van Buren 19, P. Mendiola 17, S. Villagomez 15, Lashley 15, J. Villagomez 8, Buniag 8, Gomez 6, F. Mendiola 6, Jimeno 4, Sam 2, Mendez 2.
NMC 79 – Aldan 20, Castro 17, Masga 12, John 8, MacDuff 6, Aguon 5, Manglona 5, Attao 4, Tomokane 2.
Scoring by quarters: 22-17, 41-39, 73-53, 102-79.
Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Gilbert Espinosa.