Diamond notches second win, Nationals keep lead

Diamond Auto Care booked back-to-back wins in the 2008-2009 BANMI/Budweiser Basketball League after slipping past Quichocho Law Office in a down-to-the-wire game Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The victory came thanks to Quichocho’s free throw woes in the last 1:15 of the fourth quarter.

Quichocho, which worked its way back from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter, 80-93, failed to complete a come-from-behind win after going only 3-for-8 from the 15-foot line in the closing minute of the game.

A 17-5 run in a span of six minutes moved Quichocho within one, 97-98, then Darwin Barbo gave his team its first taste of the lead since the first half, nailing an undergoal stab, 99-98, with 2:22 left in the fourth quarter.

But that was the last time Quichocho had the lead, as it committed several errors, missed crucial charities, and was held to only one field goal.

After Larry Palero’s drive cut the lead to one anew, 101-102, and Diamond muffed its offensive play, Palero had a chance to grab the driver’s seat. But he missed both charities and later committed a traveling violation in mid-court giving possession back to Diamond.

A jump hook by Brendo Talania gave Diamond more breathing space, 104-101, with 27.8 seconds remaining on the clock.

The next few plays saw Quichocho getting several chances to cut the lead or even take the upperhand. But Palero, who had a decent job from the foul line in the first three quarters, going 6-for-8, and Barbo only split their charities.

Talania also had problems with his free throw shooting, making only one charity that gave Diamond a two-point lead, 105-103, with 12.2 seconds left in the game.

After Talania canned his second free throw, Quichocho quickly attacked the basket, with Sonny Lerio driving to the right baseline, missing the shot, but drawing a foul from Elmer Esdrelon.

Again, poor free throw shooting spelled the doom for Quichocho, as Lerio, who is usually a reliable free throw shooter, split his charities.

Quichocho was forced to give up a foul in the next play to stop the clock, and Pando Muleta gave Diamond insurance baskets, drilling two free throws, with 4.3 left on the clock.

Bonbon Cadagat had a chance to tie the game, when he pulled up for a triple from mid-court, but muffed the desperation trey, as the final buzzer sounded.

Diamond now has a 2-4 record, avenging its first round loss to Quichocho (85-93).

In the second game, the CNMI Nationals duplicated their first round win over the Ol’Aces with a come-from-behind 87-81 triumph.

The CNMI Nationals rallied from a 10-point deficit in the second half. Jericho Cruz led the Nationals’ recovery, tallying a game-high 35 points.

Diamond 107[/B] – Esdrelon 31, Muleta 17, Talania 14, Joyner 14, Peredo 11, Berline 9, Dayrit 8, Marasigan 2, Camacho 1.

CNMI Nationals 87[/B] – Cruz 35, Rabauliman 12, Iguel 10, Tumaquip 10, Johnson 9, Camacho 4, Tarkong 4, White 2, Moses 1.
[B] Ol’Aces 81[/B] – Pelisamen 25, Lizama 20, Rangamar 8, P. Camacho 8, Iginoef 8, White 6, Tudela 5, Olaitiman 3.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 12-20, 31-41, 58-56, 87-81.