Bridge Capital gets first victory

Bridge Capital, LLC’s Matt Duenas, center, fakes off the defense of The Game’s Mak Mintac, left, and Jun Fidelino during the second quarter of their match in the Atkins Kroll Marianas International Basketball League last Friday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Bridge Capital, LLC barged into the win column in the Atkins Kroll Marianas International Basketball League after outclassing The Game, 83-80, last Friday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

Bridge Capital, which dropped its first two matches led by double figures in the second and third quarter and withstood The Game’s rally in the fourth to take the 3-point win.

Freddie Pelisamen top-scored for Bridge Capital with his 25 points, making 9 of them in the second quarter to hand their team a 39-29 halftime edge after falling behind by a hair in the opening canto, 15-16.

Matt Duenas, who saw limited minutes in the first period and missed all his shots, made up for his early struggle, registering 8 markers in the second canto. He added 5 more in the third, while six of his teammates also made it to the board in the penultimate frame to up Bridge Capital’s lead, 62-50.

Bridge Capital then lost the double-digit spread, as Mak Mintac and E.J. Abejo rallied The Game in the fourth quarter, scoring 9 points each. However, The Game failed to complete the comeback, as Pelisamen stepped up anew and fired 10 points to hand Bridge Capital its first victory in the inaugural league.

Saipan Vegas 103, Mystique 65
Saipan Vegas took the solo lead in the 10-team league after pounding Mystique last Saturday.

Saipan Vegas kept its unbeaten record in three games, while Mystique fell to a 1-2 mark.

Aiferson Atan led four Saipan Vegas players in double figures after logging 22 points. Coby Santos chipped in 18, while Douglas Schmidt and Preston Basa had 16 and 14, respectively, for Saipan Vegas, which pulled away in the third quarter and showed no mercy to Mystique in the fourth.

Already ahead by 10 at the break, 40-30, Saipan Vegas hammered Mystique in the third behind the 12 points of Santos. Basa contributed 8, including 6 from the 3-point range, to lift Saipan Vegas to a 74-49 lead.

Despite the wide margin, Saipan Vegas went for the kill in the final canto with Atan finishing off Mystique by scoring 9 points. Four other Saipan Vegas players made at least 3 points each in the fourth canto to complete their second-half domination.

Friday’s Game
Bridge Capital 83—Pelisamen 25, M. Duenas 18, Teregeyo 9, Rangamar 7, Deleon Guerrero 6, Santos 6, Lizama 4, Camacho 4, Cabaltica 4.
The Game 80—Mintac 25, Abejo 13, Fidelino 12, Javier 11, Sanguyo 6, Castro 5, Santos 3, Sablan 3, Vivero 2.
Scoring by quarters: 15-16, 39-29, 62-50, 83-80.

Saturday’s Game
Saipan Vegas 103—Atan 22, Santos 18, Schmidt 16, P. Basa 14, Bondoc 9, E. Basa 6, Deleon Guerrero 6, Diaz 6, Onopwy 6.
Mystique 65—Tekopua 16, Dancel 11, Rivera 9, Gaviola 8, Bernardo 6, Broncano 4m Castillo 4, Isip 3, Moises 2, Torres 2.
Scoring by quarters: 20-12, 40-30, 74-49, 103-65