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Diaz leads NMC to victory in return
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Posted on Mar 02 2006
Veteran and many-time national cager Tony Diaz made a return to the hardcourt Wednesday night and led the Northern Marianas College Proa squad to a 102-83 victory over the Legislature Lawmakers in the ongoing 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
Diaz and company had to survive a big performance from the Lawmakers’ Dave Sablan, who went off for 43 points in a losing cause.
Sablan got off to a good start and helped his team take the early lead by knocking down three triples in the first minutes of the game. Sablan hit another triple, however, NMC came back before the end of the first quarter and got a balanced attack from its cast to take a 28-23 lead.
NMC continued to have its way in the second quarter as the Lawmakers were held to just six baskets, while allowing Proa to score another 20 points. Scoring eight points more enabled NMC to hold a 13-point halftime lead, 48-35.
The Lawmakers tried to stage a rally behind their 3-point shooting, as Ray Duenas buried two bombs and Sablan and Sim Iramk hit one apiece in the third period, but their performance was not good enough to close the gap as Diaz scored six straight points to highlight a 25-19 run for a 73-59 lead.
Duenas continued to wax hot from downtown, hitting consecutive long-range jumpers, while Sablan hit another 12 points. Unfortunately, NMC was too strong and Diaz shined with 17 points in the final 10 minutes to spearhead the win.
Diaz finished with 25 points to lead NMC, while the Kevins—Aldan and Castro—had 20 and 14 points, respectively. Oscar Masga also added 11 points.
Duenas and John Camacho also finished in double figures for the Lawmakers with 18 and 13 points.
NMC 102 – Diaz 25, Aldan 20, Castro 14, Masga 11, Manglona 8, Garcia 8, Roberto 7, Aguon 5, Macduff 2, ierome 2.
Legislature 83 – Sablan 43, Duenas 18, Camacho 13, Iramk 3, besong 2, Sanchez 2, Cabrera 2.
Scoring by quarters: 28-23, 48-35, 73-59, 102-83.
Referees: Mike White and Jess Pabula.
