Ol’Aces, Pacers in easy wins

Ol’Aces and Tan Holdings/CTSI Pacers scored similar easy wins over separate foes in Wednesday night’s games in the FMI Inter-Color Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Ol’Aces coasted to a 107-81 win over Price Costco in the open division while the Pacers downed Fixers, 91-76, in the Masters class.

It was the fifth time Ol’Aces scored over 100 as they regained sole position of the top spot in the open division’s nine-team field, while the Storemasters dropped to a 2-2 slate to tie the TASI Tours Giants in fifth place.

Ol’Aces led as much as 40 points in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter before Keoni Chariton and Dennis Viñas waxed hot midway though the game to trim the deficit by half.

Chariton and Viñas combined for 16 points in the Storemasters’ telling rally but time was not on their side as Ol’Aces’ wisely used up the clock.

Jericho Cruz and Fred Pelisamen were again at the forefront of Ol’Aces offense firing 23 points each to lead their team to their fifth straight win, while Ed Diaz and Marvin Rabauliman scored 16 and 10 each.

David Sablan paced the Storemasters with 23 points while Keoni Chariton, who was scoreless in the second and third periods, ended up with 18 points. Viñas scattered 17 markers.

Earlier, Ariel Jinang started things off for the Pacers while William Opone put on the finishing touches as the CTSI-backed squad snapped out of its three-game slide pulling off a 91-76 decision against Fixers.

Jinang scored 17 of his team-high 25 points in the first half as the Pacers held on to a 41-35 halftime lead. Opone made 17 of his 23 markers in the second half to secure the win for the Pacers.

Ferdie Tobias contributed 18 points, while Adonis Macoto chipped in 13 more also for the Pacers.

Bruce Berline scored a game-high 26 points to lead Fixers’ scoring but failed to get the needed scoring support from his teammates. Mario Alegre and George Villasin managed to score 12 each for Fixers.

GEC Pawnshop opens up today’s twin-bill when they face the Taga Warriors in the 6:30pm masters division match, while the Giants clash with the still winless Star Waterkings in the 8pm second game.

On Sunday, the Advance X-Terminators will try to join Ol’Aces on top of the standings when they meet a hard-luck MIGS side at 3pm, while Bank of Saipan goes for a fourth straight win in the masters when they battle the Warriors at in the 4:30pm second game.

The Storemasters will try to bounce back from their stinging loss against Ol’Aces when they collide with the Pawnbrokers in the 6pm nightcap.

First Game

Tan Holdings/CTSI 91 – Jinang 25, Opone 23, Tobias 18, Macoto 13, Alcantara 6, Alejandro 2, Pasion 2, Solidum 2.

Fixers 76 – Berline 26, M. Alegre 12, Villasan 12, Dela Torre 7, Poquiz 6, Johnlend 5. Garcia 4, B. Alegre 2, Nepaial 2.

Scoring by quarters: 18-18, 41-35, 60-55, 91-76.

Referees: Jess Pabula and Dado Vistal.

Second Game

Ol’Aces 107 – Cruz 23, Pelisamen 23, Diaz 16, Rabauliman 10, Camacho 9, P. Iguel 9, Lizama 6, L. Iguel 5, Rangamar 4, Pelisamen 2.

Price Costco 81 – D. Sablan 23, Chariton 18, Viñas 17, Johnson 7, Duenas 4, Irinaka 3, Lauron 3.

Scoring by quarters: 25-11, 57-38, 85-53, 105-81.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Michael A. White.