Giants, Ol’Aces score lopsided wins

The TASI Tours Giants bounced back from an opening day loss, while the star-studded Ol’Aces made a resounding debut as action in the Friends of the Mariana Islands Inter-color Basketball League continued Friday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Giants, suffered an 81-97 loss to the Advance X-Terminators last March 14, dealt Price Costco a 92-72 crushing, while Ol’Aces waltzed to a 117-91 triumph over SMF-Seabridge.

The win gave the Giants, which is composed of players from UFO two-time champion VisMinda, a 1-1 record while foiling Price Costco’s debut in the eight-team field.

The Giants, who are still missing the services of big men Jawn Joyner and Ed Cosino and all-around swingman Banjo Basila, used an inside-outside combination in cruising to the easy win.

Danny Bicera turned back the hands of time and scored 24 points with Eroll Peredo ended up with the same output to lead the Giants’ scoring.

Bicera and Peredo combined for 20 of the Giants’ 34 fourth-quarter points as they joined hands in the final canto in turning a slim 58-54 third period lead to a double-digit spread that they never relinquished.

Jorge De Guzman scattered 17 points, while veteran guard Pando Muleta scored 11 markers as well as orchestrating the Giants’ offense.

Dennis Vinas paced Price Costco’s losing cause with 23 points, while Dave Sablan added 21 markers.

In the second game, Ol’Aces sent a message that they are a force to reckon with as they cruised to a 117-91 triumph over SMF-Seabridge.

CNMI Junior National team member Jericho Cruz led Ol’Aces’ scoring splurge draining 18 first half points to help his team pull away and enjoy a 56-38 halftime spread.

Fred Pelisamen finished what Cruz has started, scoring 12 points in the final 20 minutes of the match. Cruz top-scored for Ol’Aces with 30 followed closely by Pelisamen’s 29 markers.

The come-backing Jack Lizama, who had a long hiatus in the local basketball scene, scattered 20 points with eight coming in the third period where Ol’Aces kept SMF-Seabridge at bay.

Pedro Iguel netted 14 points, while Luis Iguel tallied 11 markers to round up Ol’Aces’ scorers that finished in double-digits.

Leo Itaas had 18 points and Gary Cayetano added 15 for SMF-Seabridge, while Sonny Lerio and James Villacrusis chipped in 14 each.
[B] First Game[/B]

TASI Tours Giants 92 – Bicera 24, Peredo 24, De Guzman 17, Muleta 11, Rañola 5, Talania 5, aquino 4, Factor 2.

Price Costco 72 – Vinas 23, D. Sablan 21, Lauron 9, Johnson 7, De Vero 6, Alfonso 2, Irinaka 2, Loste 2.

Scoring by quarters: 22-17, 41-35, 55-54, 92-72.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Jess Pabula.
[B] Second Game[/B]

Ol’Aces 117 – Cruz 30, F. Pelisamen 29, Lizama 20, P. Iguel 14, L. Iguel 11, Rangamar 7, R. Pelisamen 2.

SMF-Seabridge 91 – Itaas 18, Cayetano 15, Lerio 14, Villacrusis 14, Bernardo 12, Capalad 7, Demigilio 6, Galvez 4.

Scoring by quarters: 25-22, 56-38, 80-66, 117-91.

Referees: Gilbert Espinosa and Jess Pabula.