Chang Ming deals Ol’Aces 1st loss; Pepoy’s beats Double A

New Chang Ming Market’s Keith Santos drives past Martech-Ol’Aces’ Preston Basa in the open division of the 2nd Annual Saipan Centennial Lions Basketball League last Tuesday at the Civic Center Basketball Court in Susupe. (MARK RABAGO)

New Chang Ming Market did what eight other teams weren’t able to do before after beating Martech Ol’Aces, 101-72, in the open division of the 2nd Annual Saipan Centennial Lions Basketball League last Tuesday at the Civic Center Basketball Court in Susupe.

Coach Dennis Cortez found lightning in a bottle in the person of Jeffrey Castro as the national player more than held his own against former national player Preston Basa.

In a shootout from the land of plenty, Castro matched the Marianas High School vice principal triple for triple and wound up with 25 points against Basa’s 27 points. Both finished with five triples each. 

At the end of the day though, Castro had more support from his teammates as they practically led the whole way save for the early goings of the marquee matchup. 

After a 26-18 lead in the first, New Chang Ming maintained that spread to 50-42 at intermission before extending it to 75-62 after three quarters of play. 

Ol’Aces then totally collapsed in the fourth as they finally felt the absence of starters Douglas Schmidt, Kelvin Fitial, and Jack Lizama and lost by a whopping 29 points. 

Jack Aranda and Shane Deleon Guerrero back-stopped Castro with 16 and 13 points, respectively, for the now 6-2 New Chang Ming, while Riley Brungard served as Basa’s lone sidekick with 11 points.

Earlier, Pepoy’s Cafe & Restaurant won its third game in five matches after beating Double A Corp., 94-72.

Sparked by three 3-pointers from James Villacrusis, Pepoy’s took the reins early and led by double digits, 25-14, after the first quarter of play.

Pepoy’s then out-quicked Double A in the second, as their athletic guards, led by Moreno Martin, either got the rebounds or intercepted the ball for quick fastbreak baskets. As a result, they juxtaposed Double A at halftime, 52-25.

Playing coach Ed “Pitbull” Guinto let the second-stringers play at the start of the third and that allowed Double A to catch up and at one point cut the lead to 12 points. 

Starters were immediately inserted back to the fray and that allowed Pepoy’s to steady the ship somewhat and entered the fourth and final quarter on top, 66-51.

Double A tried to rally in the last 10 minutes but despite the best efforts of Dexter Tenorio and Bryan Lontoc, Pepoy’s still won the game with plenty to spare. 

Villacrusis paced Pepoy’s with a game-high 20 points, while Martin chipped in 17 points in support. Tenorio led Double A (1-6) with 14 points, while Oliver Rivera and Lontoc added 12 and 10 points, respectively.

First Game
Pepoy’s Cafe & Restaurant 94 – Villacrusis 20, Martin 17, Natividad 11, Camacho 10, Galulu 8, Ebuen 7, Rabago 5, Mina 4, Guinto 4, Usi 4, Mamaril 4.
Double A Corp. 72 – Tenorio 14, Rivera 12, Lontoc 10, Jugos 7, Catalla 7, Palero 7, Pablo 5, Lumanlan 4, Surima 3, Sangoyo 2.
Scoring by quarters: 25-14, 52-25, 66-51, 94-72.

Second Game
New Chang Ming Market 101 – Castro 25, Aranda 16, Deleon Guerrero 13, Santos 10, Standish 7, Montes 7, Almario 6, Quan 5, Gontar 5. 
Martech-Ol’Aces 72 – P. Basa 27, Brungard 11, Diaz 8, Pelisamen 7, Kabiriel 4, Barcinas 4, T. Basa 4, Atan 3.
Scoring by quarters: 26-18, 50-42, 75-62. 101-72.