Cruise control for Islander

Islander Rent A Car’s Dexter Mendiola pulls up for a point-blank shot in front of two Saipan Vegas defenders during an earlier game in the Masters Division of the United Filipino Organization IT&E 2019 Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

Islander Rent A Car is on a roll after notching two more wins in the Masters Division of the United Filipino Organization IT&E 2019 Basketball League.

Islander pounced on Gilas Batang, 87-58, last Thursday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium and then returned to the court last Sunday to top Pacific Marine, 89-80, for the squad’s third straight victory. Islander got its first win against Pacific Islands Club, 105-56, early this month.

Rocyl Ritual top-scored in Islander’s pair of wins to earn the Forex Player of the Game honors on both occasions.

Against Pacific Marine, Ritual fired 32 points, going all out in the final quarter to complete Islander’s comeback in the second half. The forward delivered 16 points in the fourth quarter and was the lone player on the team to hit more than one field goal in that period.

Fradel Sedillo and Richard Calbone also helped out in Islander’s cause, as they joined forces in starting the team’s rally in the second half, which ended with Pacific Marine ahead, 40-37. Calbone made 9 points, while Sedillo added 7 in the third period, allowing Islander to take the driver’s seat, 61-57. Ritual then picked up where Sedillo and Calbone left off in the fourth canto to extend Islander’s streak.

In their earlier game, Ritual logged 17 markers to power Islander to a 29-point victory over Gilas Batang. He was scoreless in the first period before registering 9 in the second to turn an 18-12 cushion to a double-digit advantage at the halftime break, 42-28.

It was cruise control for Islander from thereon, as Ritual kept going and also got support from Calbone and Dexter Mendiola.

Saimar Pilots 112, Saipan Vegas 87
In the other Masters Division match last weekend, Saimar Pilots hammered Saipan Vegas.

Saimar Pilots spulled away in the second quarter to take the 25-point winning margin.

Ahead by only 6 after the first canto, 23-17, Bogs Dayrit and John Santos stepped up in the second frame to pad Saimar Pilots’ lead to 18, 55-37. Dayrit had 10 of his 17 points in the second canto, while Santos chipped in 7.

Saimar Pilots kept the wide margin in the second half for the team’s first victory.

Thursday’s Game
Islander 87—Ritual 17, Calbone 13, Mendiola 10, Dayrit 10, Umali 9, Sedillo 8, Bautista 6, Mostales 4, Ebuen 3, Banzagale 2.
Gilas Batang 58—Jugos 24, Poole 12, D. Tibayan 6, Dacumos 4, R. Tibayan 3, Lagado 2, Sanguyo 2, De Jesus 2, David 2, Saures 2.
Scoring by quarters: 18-12, 42-28, 59-49, 97-58.

Saturday’s Game
Saimar Pilot 112—Santos 19, Dayrit 18, Singca 14, Ashburn 14, Villarin 12, Dela Cruz 10, Jinag 8, Rasa 6, Rajo 5, Echavez 4, Usi 2.
Saipan Vegas 87—Bisana 32, Moises 19, Usi 18, Park 14, Badulato 2, Rivera 2.
Scoring by quarters: 23-17, 55-37, 85-61, 112-87.

Sunday’s Game
Islander 89—Ritual 32, Calbone 19, Sedillo 15, Saplan 6, Umali 6, Tengco 3, Bautista 2, Banzagale 2, Dayrit 2.
Pacific Marine 80—Atinent 25, Surima 15, Isip 12, Guilas 11, Rio 6, Calunzag 4, Landicho 4.
Scoring by quarters: 15-19, 37-40, 61-57, 89-80.

Forex Best Player of the Game Bogs Dayrit of Saimar Pilots is flanked by United Filipino Organization IT&E 2019 Basketball League commissioner Lito Espino, right, and match announcer Alvin Alvarez. (Contributed Photo)