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Aqua edges Hyatt, Tinian whips PIC
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Posted on Feb 25 2009
Aqua Resort Club won the battle of unbeaten teams in the 2009 Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino Invitational Basketball League, slipping past Hyatt Regency Saipan, 100-98, Monday night at the Tinian Municipal Gymnasium.
Ziddy Johanes made a crucial steal and the game-winning basket in the closing seconds of the match to lift Aqua to a 3-0 record and hand Hyatt its first loss in three games.
The match was tied last at 98-all, with 21 seconds left on the clock and with Aqua in possession.
Jun Estolas anchored Aqua’s offense, but muffed his attempt. Hyatt’s Jericho Cruz then collared the rebound and aimed for a long pass. But Johanes, one of the smallest players on the court, picked off the pass and went for the game-winning basket.
Aqua lead by 12 at halftime, 54-42, as James Camacho waxed hot from outside, firing 18 points.
But Hyatt rallied in the second half behind Chris Arreza and Cruz. Cruz nailed eight markers in the third period moving Hyatt within three, entering the payoff canto, 71-74.
Arreza picked up where Cruz left off in the fourth by drilling 16 markers to keep Hyatt in contention.
Gil Gapor kept Aqua afloat in the fourth, scoring 12 markers, while Estolas earned a living from the free throw line.
But the biggest shot came from Johanes, whose lone basket in the fourth period allowed Aqua to preserve its undefeated record.
In the second game, Tinian recovered from a 68-72 opening loss to Saipan World Resort after posting a 105-92 triumph over Pacific Islands Club.
Ringo Reyes led the host with 33 points, while Noel Sabordo added 24.
PIC dropped to a 0-2 start.
[B]First Game[/B]Aqua Resort Club 100 – Gapor 25, Camacho 22, Estolas 22, Fitial 15, Johanes 8, Ruluked 6.
Hyatt 98 – Arreza 28, Cruz 26, Lizama 16, Aquino 8, Mendoza 7, Libuw 5, Magno 5, Berline 2, Vargas 1.
Scoring by quarters: 30-25, 54-42, 74-71, 100-98.
[B]Second Game[/B]Tinian 105 – Ri. Reyes 33, Sabordo 24, Fernandez 13, R.J. Reyes 11, Ramirez 7, Mabansag 4, Advincula 3, Evangelista 3, Flores 3, Pavino 2, Cajayon 2.
PIC 91 – Sanciangco 22, Barbo 19, Abuy 17, Tudela 13, Kaipat 9, Fernandez 4, Tolentino 3, Duenas 2, Pungilug 2.
Scoring by quarters: 25-19, 36-39, 74-69, 105-91.
