NMBA, VisMinda top foes

Northern Marianas Bartenders Association/Mixed Blood and VisMinda/Satbahi took separates routes in winning their respective games in the UFO Inter-Organization Basketball Friendship League 2011 Bud Cup on Thursday night at the TSL Sports Complex.

VisMinda/Satbahi cruised to a 105-73 victory over Cavite Andok’s in the opening tiff of the night, while NMBA/Mixed Blood sweated it out against MDX/Blue Haus before pulling off a close 75-71 triumph in the second game.

VisMinda notched its second win in as many matches to take the early lead in the nine-team field, while NMBA booked its first victory and recovered from a horrible 64-114 debut loss at the hands of Cabalen/Noni during the opening of the league last weekend.

Jeff Pagarao, Dennis Miranda, and Randy Mungcal alternately provided the crucial baskets for NMBA, which almost blew a 12-point lead in the third period.

NMBA outgunned MDX, 19-4 in the first four minutes of the third canto, turning a 33-26 halftime lead to a 42-30 advantage. However, MDX answered with a 12-2 run to move within a deuce, 42-44, with less than two minutes left in that frame.

Pagarao then halted MDX’s rally, scoring five straight points and then Miranda canned a triple for NMBA’s four-point cushion, 52-48, entering the final canto.

Miranda drilled two early treys in the fourth period to bring NMBA’s lead back to double digits, 67-56. However MDX kept on coming back and sliced the lead to as low as four, 65-69, off a 13-2 spurt, with 1:24 remaining on the clock.

MDX had a chance to move closer when it picked up a loose ball in the ensuing play, however Dexter Tenorio lost the leather on his way to the basket. Miranda then went for a fastbreak play, pulled up for a jumper, and missed. Fortunately for NMBA, Mungcal was underneath the basket for a putback and a free throw off a foul from Ben Lisua. Mungcal muffed the bonus shot, but redeemed himself with a 10-foot jumper after MDX faltered anew in its offensive set.

Mungcal’s four straight points gave NMBA a 73-67 lead and with less than a minute left in the game, MDX opted to give up fouls to stop the clock. Miranda was fouled twice and ensured the win for NMBA after going 2-for-4 at the striple.

MDX dropped to a 0-2 record.

In the first game, Tom Santos scored 28 points to lift VisMinda to another big win. VisMinda stunned Ali’i Konflikt in the league opener last Sunday, 87-74.

Santos’ contribution was needed, as VisMinda missed big man Darwin Barbo. The former Kagman High School player scored six points in the first period, which ended with VisMinda ahead, 20-11. He then teamed up with fellow big man Marlon De Dios and shooter Elgien Mangali in the second canto and VisMinda pulled way, leading by 18 at the break, 47-29.

Cavite/Andok’s never recovered from thereon, as it played without gunner Freddie Pelisamen for the second straight game.

VisMinda/Satbahi 105 – Santos 28, Mangali 16, De Dios 14, Peredo 8, Camacho 7, Inos 6, Aquino 6, Sison 5, Manalo 4, Eclevia 4, Paraiso 3.

Cavite/Andok’s 73 – Mabini 14, Wesley 12, Muleta 11, P. Camacho 10, Dayrit 10, C. Camacho 8, Llagas 6.

Scoring by quarters: 20-11, 47-29, 77-53, 105-73

NMBA/Mixed Blood 75 – Miranda 25, Mungcal 19, Pagarao 17, Ito 7, Valiente 4, Camacho 2.

MDX/Blue Haus 71–Tenorio 15, Babauta 10, Palacios 10, Diaz 9, Lauron 9, Johanes 7, Ulloa 4, Lisua 3, Galulu 2, Mina 2.

Scoring by quarters: 11-13, 33-26, 52-48, 75-71.