DLX/Irish Spring clobbers Star Water

DLX/Irish Spring crushed Star Water, 95-69, in the Division A game in the 2012 Blue Haus Invitational Basketball League A last Saturday night at Garapan Basketball Court.

The win evened DLX’s card to 1-1, while Star Water came up short in its first fully completed contest. QQ Rent-A-Car leads Division A with its 2-0, followed by Mobil (1-0) and R-Rebels (1-1)

DLX worked out an early 24-22 edge in the opening 10 minutes, thanks largely to the 9 points of Elmer Esdrelon. He added 6 more markers in the second quarter, as DLX stretched the lead at the half, 45-37. White Capalad led Star Water with 8 points through two frames.

Noel David took the reins for DLX after the break with his 8 points as they trudged ahead, 72-54, entering the final canto. Star Water was visibly exhausted mid way through the fourth quarter, as DLX coasted to an easy win.

Esdrelon led four other teammates in double figures with 16 points, tying Star Water’s Manolo Manalo.

Notably, Star Water’s Marlon De Dios was ejected during a timeout in the third quarter for getting lippy with referee Ray Lizama.

In the early game for Division B, NVM edged Wanted Sponsor, 83-77. NVM, Wanted Sponsor, Cargo Express, and Hip-Hop Thunder sport identical 1-1 records,

Wanted Sponsor scrambled to an early 17-15 favor in the first quarter with Kae Bernardo scoring 8 points. He was held to just one basket in the second period, however, as NVM seized control at halftime, 36-31. Dennis Barzinas strung up two three-pointers for 8 points in the uprising, while Rocyl Ritual chipped in 7.

Wanted Sponsor remained undeterred and swiped the lead back, 58-56, heading into the payoff period. Bernardo muscled out 10 points to go with a trio of treys in the rally, while Banjo Basilla and Jun Pantaleon provided support with their combined 13 points.

The game remained tight through regulation before Peter Mendiola came off the bench for NVM and scored 10 big points in the clutch to help secure the victory.

Bernardo was held to 3 points early in the fourth quarter, and to make matters worse, his teammate, Gilbert Miranda, fouled out midway through the period.

Ritual scored 17 to lead four teammates in double digits, while Bernardo turned a game-high 23 on the short end.

The season continues Thursday night with Division B’s Loving Hands Daycare (1-1) colliding with Saipan Hardware (2-0) at 6pm and DLX taking on Ashley’s (0-2) at 8pm.

First Game

NVM 83 – Ritual 17, Mendiola 16, Barzinas 14, Joyner 12, Mina 11, Basa 8, Tobias 3, Manibusan 2.

Wanted Sponsor 77 – Bernardo 23, Pantaleon 14, Miranda 14, Basilla 10, Rollon 9, M. Capalad 4, Sablan 3.

Scoring by quarters:15-17, 36-31, 56-58, 83-77.

Second Game

DLX-Irish Spring 95 – Esdrelon 16, Galarse 13, David 12, Abedes 12, Trajano 10, Muleta 8, Barbo 6, Delarama 6, Fernandez 4, Guiab 2, Pineda 2.

Star Water 69 – Manalo 16, W. Capalad 8, De Dios 8, Moises 9, Vinas 8, Rivera 5, Raymond 5, Santos 4, Achas 2, Gomez 2.

Scoring by quarters: 24-22, 45-37, 72-54, 95-69.