Devil Dog sniffing distance from league leaders

Devil Dog Warriors pose for a photo after their win over SMA Flyers in the Island-wide Men’s BudLight Basketball League last Wednesday at the Tinian Multi-Purpose Gymnasium. (Contributed Photo)

Devil Dog Warriors maintained its stranglehold of third place after routing SMA Flyers, 78-33, in the nightcap of the Island-wide Men’s BudLight Basketball League last Wednesday at the Tinian Multi-Purpose Gymnasium.

The Marines got to work early by erecting a 27-9 advantage after the first 10 minutes of action thanks to the 8 points of Damon Kada. Devil Dog continued to blast holes on the Flyers’ Swiss cheese defense in the second quarter as they expanded their lead, 44-20, at the halftime break.

Kada then got some help from Zjointi Kubinski in the third as Devil Dog continued to lord it over a lifeless Star Marianas crew and headed into the fourth and final quarter on top by 35 whopping points, 61-26.

It was all over but the shouting in the final 10 minutes of the contest as the Warriors notched its seventh win in nine games, a few games back of 9-0 Team Kio and 8-1 Rampage, while SMA Flyers is now in a triple tie for last place at 2-7.

RNV players pose for a photo after their win over FPA Power Builders in the Island-wide Men’s BudLight Basketball League last Wednesday at the Tinian Multi-Purpose Gymnasium. (Contributed Photo)

Kubinski led Devil Dog in scoring with 20 points, while Kada ably backed him up with 17 markers of his own. The 10 points Tanley Villagracia was the lone bright spot for SMA Flyers.

In the curtain raiser, RNV avoided dropping to the cellar after escaping with a 63-58 win over FPA Power Builders. It was a tight game all throughout with RNV only leading 28-22 after the first quarter on the hot shooting of Jhello Bungabong and Dexter Bucayag. Michael Castro carried the load for Power Builders in the second quarter as both teams scored 8 points apiece for a 36-30 count at the half.

Castro continue to wax hot in the third, firing 7 points as Power Builders managed to cut RNV’s lead to 5 points, 49-44 heading into the payoff period. But RNV recovered just in time in the final frame, getting a combined 9 points from Bungabong and Felipe Laoyon in the fourth to get away with the close 5-point win.

Bungabong, Laowon, Bucayag scored at last 12 points each for the now 3-7 RNV, while Castro paced Power Builders with 23 points. J.R. Libut had a relatively off night with 18 markers. Power Builders joined SMA Flyers and Navy Ko’Bees in the last place at 2-7.

First Game
RNV 63 – Bungabong 13, Laowon 12, Bucayag 12, Borca 10, Rizardo 4, Naguiling 4, Udaundo 3, Villacrusis 3, Molina 2.

Power Builders 58 – Castro 23, J. Libut 18, Apatan 9, Sanchez 4, D. Libut 2, Delos Reyes 2.

Scoring by quarters: 28-22, 36-30, 49-44, 63-58.

Second Game
Devil Dog Warriors 78 – Kubinski 20, Kada 17, Montgomery 12, James 7, Lapan 6, Carrasco 4, Sakaian 4, Ogaldez 4, Wayland 2.

SMA Flyers 33 – Villagracia 10, Doria 9, Opanda 4, Cajilla 4, Lagunay 4, Fletchar 2.

Scoring by quarters: 27-9, 44-20, 61-26, 78-33.