Close win for Lady Ol’Aces

The Lady Ol’Aces’ Lia Rangamar, second left, tries to get past the defense of Annalei Santos, left, and Sylvina Simram, right, while Eleina Santos, third left, closes in on the play during their game in the MIBF island-wide caging last Wednesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Jon Perez)

The Lady Ol’Aces labored for a 48-45 debut win over the Ol’Aces in the women’s division of the 2018 MIBF Island-wide Basketball League last Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Lady Ol’Aces pulled off the close victory after holding the Ol’Aces to two field goals in the fourth quarter, which began with the latter ahead by 6, 40-34.

The Ol’Aces, which prevailed in their first game of the season last Monday after downing Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, 65-51, missed making it back-to-back, as only Jaime Pangelinan and Alliyah Fernandez knocked in field goals in the fourth quarter. Eleina Santos, who finished the first three periods with 15 points, was limited to a free throw in the pivotal fourth frame.

While the Ol’Aces struggled offensively in the final canto, the Lady Ol’Aces delivered the needed baskets to grab the lead and the win. Halle Kenty and Jeralyn Castillo scored 4 points each, while veteran Connie Camacho, Aiko Rasiang, and Taz Deleon Guerrero chipped in 2 markers apiece.

Camacho went on to finish with 10 points, while Lia Rangamar led the Lady Ol’Aces with her 12, drilling 9 of them in the first half to keep their team in the game, as the Ol’Aces were ahead by only 3 at the break, 28-25.

Meanwhile, in the men’s division game, Casino also worked its way to a 73-70 win over GSW.

Casino banked on their free throw shooting to escape with the 3-point victory. Casino’s last 9 markers all came from the foul line with four of them courtesy of Marinas. Marinas fired 12 of his team-high 19 points in the final canto to lead Casino to a come-from-behind win, as it entered the final frame facing a 42-53 deficit.

GSW nearly took a double-digit lead at the end of the third canto behind the successive baskets of Ken Viray. The shooting guard had a string of 12 points and compiled 19 in the third period alone to put GSW in front. However, he was limited to two field goals in the fourth quarter and could not buy a basket early in that frame when Casino started to rally. Viray had a game-high 28 points on a losing effort.

First Game
Casino 73—Ibag 19, Marinas 16, Sanguyo 15, Atencio 7, Sinatyo 6, Santos 5, Lyodico 4, Bok 3.
GSW 70 — Viray 28, Rangamar 11, Quan 9, Lauron 8, Tenorio 5, Itibus 3, Sambile 2, Kintz 2.
Scoring by quarters: 16-10, 32-22, 42-53, 73-70.

Second Game
Lady Ol’Aces 48 — L. Rangamar 12, C. Camacho 10, Castillo 6, Kenty 6, Rasiang 6, Deleon Guerrero 4, Omar 3, Kimberly 2.
Ol’Aces 45 — Fernandez 17, E. Santos 16, Pangelinan 6, A. Santos 4, Villagomez 2.
Scoring by quarters: 15-13, 25-28, 34-40, 48-45.