Thrilling pennant race in govt caging

Powerhouses Department of Labor and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs took care of business and kept the pennant race tight as action in the ongoing 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League continued Monday evening at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the opener, Rasa brothers Steve and Ponce combined for 65 points to lead Labor to an 86-74 victory over CPA-ARFF Fire Dawgs.

Steve, who ranks among the league leaders in scoring, got off to the start he wanted as he scored 10 points in the first 10 minutes, while Ponce pumped in eight points to push Labor to a 24-16 lead.

The brothers continued to spearhead Labor’s attack, however, the Fire Dawgs were able to improve on their game and matched their opponents point for point to keep their deficit at just eight points, 34-42, heading into the break.

The Fire Dawgs were down but far from giving up. Jawn Joyner and Charlie Sablan combined for 13 points and CPA-ARFF scored four points more than Labor to cut the deficit to four points, 53-57, at the end of the third period.

It became a scoring duel as Steve and Joyner took turns lighting up the scoreboard. Both cagers burned the nets for 17 points apiece, however, Rasa got stronger support and Labor claimed their 10th win in 12 games to tie Tinian on top of the team standings.

Steve and Ponce finished with 44 and 21 points, while Mitch Aaron had 10 points for Labor.

Joyner led CPA-ARFF with 40 points, while Jerome Reyes added 18 points.

Later that evening, DCCA had a tough task but still overcame the challenge to defeat Northern Marianas College Proa, 96-93.

With veteran Elias Rangamar continuing to prove he can still hang with the young cagers, DCCA was able to get over the hill and improve to 9-2 and remain a half game behind Labor and Tinian.

Rangamar was simply on fire from long range as he buried eight bombs from beyond the 3-point arc to finish with a game high 45 points, while Romeo Iginoef was strong in the paint for 27 points.

Proa put up a good fight and led at the end of the first and third periods—21-18 and 68-66—but was not able to hold on as Rangamar racked up 15 points in the final quarter to push DCCA to victory.

Tony Diaz and Kevin Castro led NMC with 25 points, while Jester Garcia and Kevin Aldan added 10 points apiece.

First Game

DOL 86 – S. Rasa 44, P. Rasa 21, Aaron 10, Mostales 5, Fujihira 2, Manibusan 2, Poquiz 2.

CPA-ARFF 74 – Joyner 40, Reyes 18, Sablan 7, Mizutani 5, Ogo 2, Torres 2.

Scoring by quarters: 24-16, 42-34, 57-53, 86-74.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Dado Vistal.

Second Game

DCCA 96 – Rangamar 45, Iginoef 27, Rogolifoi 6, Dela Cruz 6, Reyes 4, Taisacan 4, Benavente.

NMC 93 – Diaz 25, Castro 19, Garcia 10, Aldan 10, Iakopo 9, Masga 8, Aguon 6, John 4, McDuff 2.

Scoring by quarters: 18-21, 43-38, 66-68, 96-93.

Referees: Mike White and Jess Pabula.