Overtime run lifts ARFF over Enforcers

The Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Fire Dawgs put on a show in overtime Wednesday night to stun Department of Public Safety Enforcers, 97-83, in the ongoing 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Fire Dawgs had their work cut out for them early as they trailed by double digits after the first half.

Elias Saralu and Jake Celes were key factors for DPS in the opening period as the two combined for 13 points to help the Enforcers take a 17-11 lead.

DPS continued to have control of the bout as Saralu drilled another 13 points, while cage belle and women’s national team veteran Connie Camacho recorded seven markers to allow the Enforcers to stretch their lead to 11 points, 42-31, at the break.

DPS, however, was not able to hold its ground as the dynamic duo of Jawn Joyner and Jerome Reyes took matters into their own hands and began to pull their team closer.

The two combined for 20 points and got another five points from their teammates and then held DPS to 18 points to close to within four points, 56-60, after three quarters of play.

Joyner and Reyes were far from done as the two continued to heat up the net, combining for 15 points in the payoff period. Charlie Sablan also knocked in a triple, Carlos Torres hit two free throws and a field goal, and Frank Mizutani added another field goal to pull off the comeback and force overtime, 80-80.

It was in the extra period that ARFF shined and DPS slowed down. The Fire Dawgs got another 11 points from Joyner and Reyes, while the rest of their teammates clamped down on defense holding DPS to just three points for the win.

Joyner and Reyes led ARFF with 38 and 35 points.

Saralu led DPS with 25 points, while Celes and Oscar Sablan pumped in 16 and 10 points.

In the second game, Tinian had five players finish in double figures in a 102-55 demolishing of the Office of the Public Auditor.

After a close battle in the first two periods, the Tinian cagers exploded in the third stanza to distance themselves from their opponents. The team outscored OPA, 28-13, to take a 69-45 lead as Anthony Borja spearheaded the run with 11 points.

Things continued to get better for Tinian as they carried their scoring spree in the final quarter, giving those keeping score a lot of work. The team added another 33 points while holding OPA to 10 points for the easy close out.

John Santos led Tinian with 18 points, while Borja and J.R. Reyes added 15 points apiece. Jess Manibusan and Ringo Reyes also contributed 11 and 10 points.

Robert Torres and Chris Camacho led OPA with 13 points apiece. while Dave Camacho and Jeff Quitugua chipped in 11 points each.

First Game
ARFF 97 – Joyner 38, Reyes 35, Torres 9, C. Sablan 5, Diaz 4, Mizutani 4, Camacho 2.
DPS 83 – Saralu 25, Celes 16, Sablan 10, C. Camacho 9, P. Camacho 9, Manglona 9, Warfield 3, Kapileo 2.
Scoring by quarters: 11-17, 31-42, 56-60, 80-80, 97-83, OT.
Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game
Tinian 102 – Santos 18, J. Reyes 15, A. Borja 15, Manibusan 11, R. Reyes 10, Cruz 7, Cabay 7, R. Borja 6, Manglona 6, Pascua 3, Henry 2, Epity 2.
OPA 55 – Torres 13, C. Camacho 12, D. Camacho 11, Quitugua 11, J. Camacho 4, Sasamoto 2, Dela Cruz 2.
Scoring by quarters: 22-18, 41-32, 69-45, 102-55.
Referees: Mike White and Jess Pabula.