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Aqua rallies past World Resort, Hyatt wins
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Posted on Feb 17 2009
Gil Gapor drilled 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter to lift Aqua Resort Club to a 91-89 victory over Saipan World Resort in the 2009 Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino Invitational Basketball League Monday night at the Tinian Municipal Gymnasium.
It was Aqua’s second win in as many games after debuting with an 85-73 triumph over Asia Pacific Hotel, Inc. two weeks ago.
World Resort failed to make a follow up on its 72-68 win over TDHC in the league opener wasting a nine-point lead going into the last two minutes of its game against Aqua.
World Resort led by four, 73-69, entering the payoff period when Gapor anchored Aqua’s recovery. His back-to-back 3-point plays in the closing seconds of the match allowed Aqua to steal the win.
Jun Estolas top-scored for Aqua with 22 markers, while aside from Gapor, three others also contributed double figures. Big men Gyles Ruluked and Kelvin Fitial chipped in 19 and 13 points, respectively, while Ziddy Johanes added 11.
Wowie Abuel led World Resort’s losing cause making 28 points, but was held to six markers in the payoff canto.
Banjo Basila and Dennis Vinas combined for 48 points, while Kae Bernardo had 12, but was scoreless in the fourth.
In the second game, Hyatt also eked out a come-from-behind win over APHI, 93-90.
Hyatt trailed at the end of the third quarter, 60-69, but outscored APHI in the fourth, 33-21, to escape with a three-point win.
Chris Arreza exploded for 19 big points in the fourth period to give Hyatt a 2-0 start in the competition. Arreza finished with a game-high 31 points.
APHI dropped to a 0-2 record despite getting 31 markers from Elmer Esdrelon and 24 points from new recruit Bonbon Cadagat.
Meanwhile, league coordinators thanked the following for supporting the competition: Budweiser, I-Connect, Northern Marianas Bartender Association, TDHC Club, and Monster Pizza.
[B]
First Game
Hyatt 93[/B] – Arreza 31, Lizama 25, Cruz 17, Mendoza 10, Umali 4, Berline 2.
[B]APHI 90[/B] – Esdrelon 31, Cadagat 24, Manglona 10, Opone 10, Carino 9, Galag 2, Sabino 2, Usi 2. [B]Scoring by quarters:[/B] 20-31, 39-49, 60-69, 93-90. [B]Second GameAqua 91[/B] – Estolas 22, Gapor 21, Ruluked 19, Fitial 13, Johanes 11, Mi. Achas 5, Acosta 2.
[B]
Saipan World Resort 89[/B] – Abuel 28, Basila 25, Vinas 22, Bernardo 12, Scinieder 2.
[B]
Scoring by quarters[/B]: 16-23, 38-56, 69-73, 91-89.
