Freddie leads scoring in Budweiser caging

Freddie Pelisamen is living up to expectations as one of CNMI basketball’s most potent offensive threats, as the Ol’Aces gunner leads the scoring race in the ongoing 2008-2009 BANMI/Budweiser Basketball League.

The former member of the CNMI National Team that competed in the 2006 Micronesian Games here is the lone player in the Budweiser league to pile up more than 200 points so far. In eight games, Pelisamen totaled 280 points for an eye-popping average of 35 point per game. This does not include his season-high of 44 points posted in the Ol’Aces’ 102-94 win over IT&E Monday night.

In second place is Quichocho Law Office’s Bonbon Cadagat, who tallied 178 points in eight games for an average of 22.25 points per match.

Two players from the CNMI Nationals, IT&E, Runnin’ Rebels, and Quichocho Law Office, and one from Diamond Auto Fixers complete the Top 10.

Pete Iguel is currently in third place, as he collected 153 points in seven games for an average of 21.87 points per game. Coming in at fourth is IT&E’s Kae Bernardo with a total 134 points (16.75 ppg), followed by Diamond’s Elmer Esdrelon with 127 (15.87 ppg), Quichocho’s Sonny Lerio with 126 (15.75), the Runnin’ Rebels’ Jesus Iguel with 125 (15.62) and Jose Tumaquip with 111 (13.87), IT&E’s Jun Estolas with 103 (12.87), and the CNMI Nationals’ Marvin Rabauliman with 100 (12.5).

In the rebounds department, another Ol’Aces player—Gabriel White—is leading the race with 69 rebounds for an average of 8.62 boards per match.

Sylvan Teregeyo is in second place with 63, followed by Docomo’s Christopher Paul (57), Bernardo (56), Docomo’s Kelvin Fitial (56), Quichocho’s Larry Palero (52), the Runnin’ Rebels’ Ben Lisua (52) and Robert Coldeen, Jr. (52), the Ol’Aces Jack Lizama (50), and Quichocho’s Leo Itaas (44).

Brothers Joemary and Jose Tumaquip are lording it over in the steals and assists departments, respectively.

Joemary, who plays for the CNMI Nationals, has recorded 33 steals, leading the Runnin’ Rebels Denar Norita by one.

Rounding out the Top 10 are Jesus Iguel (31), Itaas (27), Esdrelon (27), Pete Iguel (22), Gabriel White (21), Lerio (20), Jose Tumaquip (20), and the CNMI Nationals’ Jayvan Tarkong (19).

Jose has collected 43 assists, 10 more then Estolas’ 33. Joemary and Cadagat have tallied 32 apiece, while IT&E’s Wowie Abuel has posted 31 to complete the Top 5.

Making it to the Top 10 are Esdrelon (30), the Ol’Aces’ Elias Rangamar (25), Docomo’s Dave Palacios (25), Docomo’s Joseph Villacrusis (25), and Gabriel White (22).

The Hoopaholics’ Mel Manibusan leads the league in shotblocks with nine, followed by Coldeen (8), Norita (8), Lisua (7), Quichocho’s Edmark Mendoza (6), Docomo’s James Villacrusis (6), Jesus Iguel (6), Tarkong (5), Lizama (5), and Quichocho’s Bart Demapan (5).