Connie’s BBQ, Saipan Adventure prevail

Connie’s BBQ’s Darwin Barbo pulls up for a long jumper in an earlier game against IT&E Dark in the 2019 One Pacific Promotional Basketball League at the Civic Center Court in Susupe. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Connie’s BBQ and Saipan Adventure downed their respective opponents in the 2019 One Pacific Promotional Basketball League at the Civic Center Court in Susupe.

In last Thursday’s match of the Tsingtao Beer-sponsored league, Saipan Adventure hammered IT&E Light, 93-66. Connie’s BBQ, on the other hand, played last Friday and prevailed over RNV Construction, 82-74.

Connie’s BBQ sizzled in the first half to establish a big lead and never looked back, as it withstood RNV Construction’s repeated comeback bids in the second. A pair of 23 points in the first and second periods gave Connie’s BBQ a 46-26 halftime lead. Nelson Cabang led Connie’s BBQ’s early uprising, as he finished the half with 13 points, while Austin Camacho and Ronald Esmores added 7 apiece. Three other Connie’s BBQ players contributed at least two baskets each for the team’s balance offense.

RNV Construction lagged behind, as it was held to five field goals each in the first and second quarters with Ronald Rueda carrying majority of the load for the team.

Rueda continued to anchor RNV Construction’s offense in the second half where his squad finally scored 20-plus points each in the third and fourth periods. However, his one-man show was not enough to overhaul the big deficit, while Connie’s BBQ still spread the wealth in the second half to maintain its safe distance en route to its second victory in as many games.

Cabang paced Connie’s BBQ with his 25 points, while Darwin Barbo added 12, and Esmores, and Camacho contributed 11 each. Rueda had a game-high 39 markers for RNV Construction.

In last Thursday’s game, Saipan Adventure fired at least 20 points in each of the four quarters to dominate IT&E Light.

Randy Mungcal top-scored for Saipan Adventure with his 22 markers, while Jun Alipio, John Morales, Alex Ocampo, and Jhon Singca also finished in double figures, recording 17, 15, 17, and 10, respectively. Bogs Dayrit led IT&E Light with his 17 markers.

Friday Game
Connie’s BBQ 82—Cabang 25, Barbo 12, Camacho 11, Esmores 11, Echavez 9, Dayao 6, Bongalan 4.
RNV Construction 74—Rueda 39, Mortos 17, Odicta 11, Tagle 2, Corong 2, Padulina 2.
Scoring by quarters: 23-24, 46-26, 63-48, 82-74.

Thursday Game
Saipan Adventure 93—Mungcal 20, Alipio 17, Morales 15, Ocampo 14, Singca 10, Flores 8, Almario 8, Maesa 4.
IT&E Light 66—Dayrit 17, Madreo 14, Henry 13, Biado 8, Nuguid 6, Gotengco 3, Carongan 2.
Scoring by quarters: 21-19, 45-37, 68-52, 93-66.