Pennant race down to two teams

Defending champion No Zone was able to stop Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, and in doing so, eliminated the latter from the pennant race as action in the ongoing 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League continued Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

No Zone had everything going their way and closed their regular season on a high note by beating DCCA, 102-72, behind a powerful fourth quarter explosion.

No Zone led 17-15 after a tightly fought first quarter, and was able to increase the lead by outscoring DCCA, 34-25, in the second period for a 12-point halftime cushion.

Sniper John Sablan was in a zone as he buried five triples in the opening half and already had 28 points before the halftime buzzer sounded.

Sablan cooled off a bit in the second half, but No Zone was still able to maintain its double-digit spread, 74-63, heading into the final period.

The game took a big change as DCCA was not able to keep pace and was able to add just nine points to their corner, while former National cager Ed Diaz pumped in eight points and Sablan added two more triples to fuel a 28-point effort that ballooned their lead.

Sablan finished with a game-high 38 points, while Diaz supported strong with 25 points.

Elias Rangamar led DCCA with 17 points, while Joey Dela Cruz and Romeo Iginoef finished with 16 and 14 points.

With the result, No Zone takes over the No. 3 spot with a 10-3 win-loss card, while DCCA follows with a 9-3 record. Department of Labor and Tinian are tied for the league-lead with 10-2 records.

Earlier league-leading scorer Edgar Pangelinan went off for 36 points but Procurement and Supply was not able to hang with the Legislature Lawmakers, who won 100-91.

Sim Iramk had his biggest game of the season as he was on target for five triples and added a bunch of field goals to lead the Lawmakers to victory with 35 points. Dave Sablan and Ray Duenas also had solid outings and contributed 25 and 16 points.

Mike Guerrero and Ray Takai added 24 and 13 points for P&S.

First Game
Legislature 100 – Iramk 35, D. Sablan 25, Duenas 16, Mendiola 8, Hofschneider 6, Cabrera 4, Lisua 3, J. Sablan 2.
P&S 91 – E. Pangelinan 36, Guerrero 24, Takai 13, Borja 9, Castro 5, Tudela 2, Palacios 2.
Scoring by quarters: 21-16, 44-35, 74-56, 100-91.
Referees: Gilbert Espinosa and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game
No Zone 102 – Sablan 38, Diaz 25, Palacios 12, Norita 9, Manalili 8, Hocog 6, Stole 4.
DCCA 72 – Rangamar 17, Dela Cruz 16, Iginoef 14, Benavente 8, Reyes 5, Sablan 4, Rogolifoi 3.
Scoring by quarters: 18-15, 52-40, 74-63, 102-72.
Referees: Jess Pacheco and Mike White.