Duenas Compound gains share of lead

Duenas Compound’s Edwin Santos, left, and Travis Eubanks, third right, challenge the shot of Saipan Apparel’s Pete Lizama, while Matt Duenas, right, looks on during the second quarter of their game in the MIBF outdoor caging at the San Antonio court last Monday night. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Duenas Compound is on a roll, getting its third straight win after downing Saipan Apparel, 75-64, in the second game in the Mariana Islands Basketball Federation’s Inaugural Men’s Outdoor League last Monday night.

With its 3-0 record, Duenas Compound joined idle Ol’Aces on top of the team standings in the 11-squad field. Saipan Apparel dropped to third place with its 2-1 mark just behind Ace Hardware (2-0).

Coming into the game with similar undefeated records, Duenas Compound and Saipan Apparel engaged in a neck-and-neck battle in the first half. The match was still close after the third period with Saipan Apparel down by just 5, 48-53, but Duenas Compound gained some cushion in the fourth en route to the double-digit winning margin.

Duenas Compound leaned on its younger players in the final canto to create a safe distance against the veteran players of Saipan Apparel, which is led by former CNMI National Team member Ed Diaz. Ernest Duenas scored eight of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and he drew enough support from Douglas Schmidt, cousin Matt, and Travis Eubanks to keep Duenas Compound on top in the final canto. Schmidt chipped in 5 markers, while Eubanks and Matt had 4 apiece.

Ed Diaz, who had 14 after the three quarters, was held to a point in the fourth frame where only Jerome Norita and Josh Andrew knocked in more than two field goals in Saipan Apparel’s letdown.

Matt Duenas led all scorers with his 25 points, while Schmidt also finished in double figures with 18. Ed Diaz paced Saipan Apparel with his 15 markers.

In the first game, GMI Market pulled off an 88-86 overtime win against the Junior Ol’Aces to improve its record to 2-2. The Junior Ol’Aces absorbed their second loss in three games.

Prince Factor had 23 points to lift GMI Market to the close victory. His pair of free throws sent the match into the extension period. Donald Romo added 10, including 4 in overtime, while Factor and his brother Angelo, Jun Fidelino, and Jun Alipio also contributed in the extra five minutes of play. Alipio made the go-ahead basket in overtime, while the Junior Ol’Aces did not have enough time (they had possession with two seconds left on the clock) to pull up for a shot and force another extension.

First Game
GMI Market 88 — P. Factor 23, Alipio 22, Fidelino 11, Romu 10, A. Factor 8, Senupe 7, Tolosa 2, Banayas 2.

Junior Ol’Aces 86 — Sablan 20, Castro 19, Blake 13, Siech 8, Kabiriel 7, Borja 6, Onopioy 3.

Scoring by quarters: 15-9, 32-34, 54-58, 77-77, 88-86.

Second Game
Duenas Compound 74 — Matt Duenas 25, Schmidt 18, E. Duenas 16, Eubanks 9, Santos 4, Hernandez 1.

Saipan Apparel 64 — E. Diaz 15, Norita 13, Fitial 9, Andrew 8, Teregeyo 5, Rangamar 5, J. Diaz 3, Lizama 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-13, 33-29, 53-48, 74-64.