ATM routs BoG Express, 93-75

Autonomous dealt Bank of Guam its second straight loss as the 2008 PTI Inter-Government Business Basketball League resumed Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The defending champion of the government league led after all four quarters to post a 93-75 drubbing of BoG, which lost to Northern Marianas College last time out.

Rasa brother Ponce and Steve started things off for Autonomous, as they combined for 12 points to give their team a 22-18 lead after the first quarter.

Ponce Rasa continued his torrid shooting in the second quarter, burning the hoops for 11 points—including six straight buckets at one point—to help Autonomous extend its advantage to 14 points, 46-33, at intermission.

There was more of the same Autonomous juggernaut at the start of the third, but this time Ponce Rasa got help from the likes of Chris Camacho, Tim Wesley, and Ulyssses Kapileo, as the team concluded three quarters of play still pretty much in control, 67-52.

Defensive wiz Wesley then brandished his offensive moves in the payoff period, unloading 12 of his 19 points to keep Bank of Guam at bay as Autonomous won running away with the 18-point victory.

Ponce and Steve Rasa led Autonomous to its fourth win in five games with 25 and 24 points, respectively, while lanky forward James Villacrusis was the lone bright spot for the suddenly struggling BoG team finishing with 25 markers. The loss dropped BoG’s record to 6-3.

In the second game, Department of Corrections put the handcuffs on Aguaguat in yet another one-side affair, 101-74.

After taking a modest 23-19 lead following the first 10 minutes of play, DOC finally flexed its muscles in the second and led 51-39 at the break. They continued to lord it over Customs and took a 71-59 advantage into the fourth before capping the win with a scoring barrage in the fourth.

Luis Iguel’s game-high 27 paced DoC in the win, which was its fourth in six games, with Jeff Quitugua adding 23 in support.

Aguaguat, which lost its fourth game as against two wins, was led by the 17 and 16 points of two Jasons—Lizama and Sablan.

Last Friday, league host PTI raced to its third straight win after easily handling Tinian, 94-72, in the nightcap.

Twin Towers Edsel Mendoza and Bruce Berline did the most damage for PTI with 26 and 23 points, respectively, while Anthony Borja’s game-high 27 markers led Tinian, which lost its fourth match in seven games.

In the opener, Autonomous didn’t even had to shed their warm-ups in beating Department of Public Safety after the latter lost by forfeit.

Autonomous 93 – P. Rasa 25, S. Rasa 24, Wesley 19, Camacho 10, Kapileo 6, Aaron 5, Coldeen 4.

Bank of Guam 75 – Villacrusis 25, Diaz 18, Taisacan 17, Pelisamen 11, Lee 3.

Scoring by quarters: 22-18, 47-33, 67-52, 93-75.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Gilbert Espinosa.

DOC 101 – Iguel 27, Quitugua 23, Mendez 12, Joab 8, Mendiola 6, Iramk 4, Itibus 4, Castro 4, Killion 2, Kwon 2, Blas 2.

Aguaguat 74 – Lizama 17, J. Sablan 16, R. Sablan 8, Reyes 7, Guerrero 7, P. Sablan 7, J.P. Sablan 4, Camacho 2, Iguel 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-19, 51-39, 71-59, 101-74.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Eric Artillaga.