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Docomo avoids shutout in JP World caging
Docomo Pacific’s Jaynard White wins the battle for the rebound during an earlier game against CUC in the JP World caging at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
The telecommunication company finally barged into win column after downing Top Development, Inc., 107-91, in the curtain-raiser of the penultimate play date in the regular season last Monday night. Docomo drew double figures from four of its starters to end its six-game losing skid and move out of the cellar in the team standings, as Top Development, with its 0-7 record, replaced the former at the bottom.
Tony Diaz continued to be the anchor of Docomo’s offense, as he scored 29 points in the team’s first win. Fellow starters Jaynard White and Rick Sanchez added 19 each, while Jayson Hayes chipped in 15. Conrad Sablan completed Docomo’s first five and chipped in 6, while Robert Sanciangco came off the bench and contributed 18.
Diaz caught fire early, scoring 13 points in the first period, while White and Hayes combined for 10 to power Docomo to a 28-15 advantage after the opening 10 minutes of play. Docomo was never threatened from thereon, as it kept its hot shooting in the remaining three quarters.
Sanciangco continued what Diaz started in the second frame, hitting 12 of his total points in that quarter, as Docomo posted its biggest output (30) in the period to stretch its lead to 17 at the break, 58-41.
Sanciangco and company slowed down a bit in the second half, but Top Development did not capitalize on the opportunity and instead settled on trading baskets with Docomo, allowing the latter to secure the 16-point winning margin.
Raymond Velasco and Allen Reyes led Top Development’s losing cause, posting 22 points apiece, while Nestor Arreza and Jomel Pollisco chipped in 14 each.
Meanwhile, both Top Development and Docomo, who are out of the playoff race along with Saipan Ice & Water (2-6) played their finals game of the season last night. Top Development was scheduled to face Public School System in the first match, while Docomo was slated to challenge the unbeaten Shirley’s Coffee Shop in the second game. Results of both matches will be reported in Saipan Tribune’s Friday edition.
Docomo 107 – Diaz 29, White 19, Sanchez 19, Sanciangco 18, Hayes 15, Sablan 6.
TDI 91 – Velasco 22, Reyes 22, Arreza 14, Pollisco 14, Lorenzo 10, Etamilao 4.
Scoring by quarters: 28-15, 58-41, 78-62, 107-91.
