Quichocho Law Office stuns Nationals, again

Quichocho Law Office continued its domination of league-leading CNMI Nationals after pulling off a 102-96 victory in the 2008-2009 BANMI/Budweiser Basketball League Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Quichocho dropped an 8-0 bomb in the last one minute and 55 seconds of the fourth quarter to again beat the Nationals after prevailing in their first round meeting, 87-80.

The Nationals held the lead for the last time at 96-94, after Joemary Tumaquip’s triple, going into the last 1:55 of the game.

A Darwin Barbo split moved Quichocho within one, 95-96, and after Allen Moses Jr. missed on a drive, Barbo collared the rebound and threw a baseball pass to a streaking Bonbon Cadagat. Cadagat went for a fastbreak layup, made the basket, and drew a foul from Keoni Chariton. The Quichocho point guard nailed the bonus shot, giving Quichocho a 98-96 lead, with 1:05 left on the clock.

The Nationals had plenty of time left on the 24-second shotclock in the ensuing play, but Quincy Johnson opted for a quick baseline jumper and missed.

After his 3-point play, Cadagat teamed up with Larry Palero in a pick and roll play with the latter converting a jumper near the 15-foot line and increasing Quichocho’s lead to four, 100-98, with 36.1 seconds left in the game.

Coach Rufino Aguon sued for time to stop the bleeding for the Nationals, but his wards failed to score when Tumaquip drove to the middle, bumped Palero, and lost possession of the ball.

Palero picked up the loose ball and Quichocho wisely hung on to the ball until Marvin Rabauliman was forced to give up a foul on Barbo.

Barbo secured the come-from-behind win with his pair of free throws.

Quichocho improved to a 4-7 record, but remained in sixth place in the team standings. The Nationals are still on top with an 8-2 slate.

In the first game, Diamond Auto Care capitalized on a depleted IT&E crew to cruise to a 106-89 win.

IT&E played with only five players and was down to four in the last seven minutes of the fourth quarter, as Sonny Ranola had to leave for work. Other IT&E players were on Tinian for the competition hosted by the Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino.

Diamond 106[/B] – Peredo 21, Brostrom 18, Capalad 14, Esdrelon 12, Muleta 8, Camacho 7, Joyner 7, Fernandez 6, Gamboa 4, Guiab 4.
[B] IT&E 89[/B] – Ranola 32, De Dios 23, Olivos 13, Montano 8, Mercurio 6.

Quichocho Law Office 102[/B] – Barbo 26, Cadagat 21, Capalad 14, Demapan 9, Pantaleon 8, Palero 7, Lerio 6, Tagle 4.
[B] CNMI Nationals 96[/B] – Rabauliman 21, Iguel 20, Tumaquip 16, Johnson 13, Moses 10, White 7, Chariton 4.