Fong’s Bakery, Island Manpower win

Fong’s Bakery won its two make-up games in the 2nd DL Corp. Invitational Basketball League last week.

The twin wins were close ones, as Fong’s eked out a 57-56 victory over Saipan Ice last Wednesday and then pulled off a 69-65 triumph against Kixx Engine Oil last Friday at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court. Fong’s now has a 4-2 record and in second place behind Docomo (4-1), pending results of last Saturday’s matches. The back-to-back wins boosted Fong’s bid for the outright quarterfinals ticket in Pool A.

The Top 2 teams in Pool A will get the automatic Round of 8 slots and, while the next four will fight for the last two, and the bottom two will be eliminated. The No. 3 to No. 8 spot in the team standings in Pool A is too close to call, as the six other teams have at least two wins each. NMI Contractor and Chinatown are done for the regular season their similar 3-4 slate, Kixx hold a 2-4 mark, Adobo and Fliptop have identical 2-3 records, pending last Saturday’s games result, and Saipan Ice own a 3-3 card.

Kixx Engine Oil absorbed its fourth loss after wasting a 12-point lead in the first quarter. Ed Pangelinan drilled four triples, while Orly Ebuen canned two to lift Kixx to a 26-14 advantage at the end of the third. However, Fong’s quickly regrouped in the second quarter, slicing the deficit to three at the break, 36-39, behind its balance offense, and completed the come-from-behind win in the second half. Fong’s grabbed the upper hand in the third, 62-57, with J.R Barrios scoring 6 of the team’s last 8 points in that quarter. Then in the fourth, Noel David had a string of 4 points in the closing minutes, while Brian Ajoste connected on two triples to keep Fong’s on top.

Kixx had a total meltdown in the fourth, as it was held to 8 points with only Pangelinan making field goals for the team off his two triples. Jun Patawaran scored the 2 other points from the foul line.

Island Manpower 90, Maplas 79
In the Pool B game, Island Manpower kept its playoff bid alive, while eliminating Maplas.
Island Manpower finished the regular season with a 2-5 record and must wait for the final standings of San Roque (has 2-3, pending last Saturday’s game) and I Love Saipan (2-4) to determine its playoff chances. Maplas bowed out of the competition winless.
Victory became elusive for Maplas, as it ran out of ammunition against Island Manpower in the fourth quarter. The game was tied, 60-all, after the third when Island Manpower exploded for 30 points and Maplas answered with only 19 markers.
Three Island Manpower players scored at least 8 points apiece in the fourth-quarter assault with Gary Esconde putting the finish touches in their 11-point win, nailing the team’s last 6 markers. Francis Rebuyon top-scored in Island Manpower’s crucial win, posting 21 points.

First Game
Fong’s Bakery 69 – David 15, Barrios 10, Ajoste 8, Reyes 6, Jose 6, Corotan 6, Samson 4, Bautista 3.
Kixx Engine Oil 65 – Pangelinan 35, De Guzman 12, Ebuen 7, Patawaran 6, Tibayan 3.
Scoring by quarters: 14-26, 36-39, 62-57, 69-65.

Second Game
Island Manpower 90 – Rebuyon 21, Devero 18, Esconde 12, Esteves 8, Pacman 6, Gonzales 6, Capuyon Sr. 2.
Maplas 79 – Rivera 18, M. Usi 14, Devero 11, Lauron 10, Claveria 8, Mendoza 5, Aniciete 4.
Scoring by quarters: 14-17, 36-37, 60-60, 90-79.