Fiesta noses out PIC; World Resort wins

Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan’s Roland Galag pulls up for a short jumper against World Resort’s Kae Bernardo during their game in the opening week of the Inter-Hotel league mid this month at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. Fiesta and World Resort downed separate foes last Thursday. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

World Resort coasted past Mariana Resort in the curtain-raiser, 74-38, while Fiesta pulled off a nail-biter over Pacific Islands Club in the second game, 77-76.

Djay Ong lifted Fiesta to the close win, as he collared an offensive rebound in the closing seconds of the tight match and made a layup. PIC had the last shot, but failed to cash in to drop to a 1-1 record, while Fiesta improved to a perfect 3-0 card.

Ong finished with a team-high 16 points for Fiesta. Jared Matsutaro matched Ong’s output, teaming up with the lanky forward in the fourth-quarter assault. Matsutaro scored eight of Fiesta’s last 10 points and 14 of his total production in the final canto. Fiesta exploded for 32 big points in the fourth period after scoring no more than 19 in each of the first three frames.

Fiesta’s fourth-quarter push allowed the team to come back from a 45-50 deficit at the end of the third canto. PIC closed out the third and turned a two-point halftime lead, 37-35, to a five-point cushion after James Abuy unloaded back-to-back triples and Ham Hambros nailed a pair of free throws.

PIC tried to keep the upper hand, but failed, as Matsutaro led Fiesta’s comeback, which Ong completed with the two big plays.

Darwin Barbo top-scored for PIC with his 30 markers, but was held to one field goal in the fourth and had to earn his points from the foul line.

In the first game, World Resort held Mariana Resort to single digit in scoring in the first and fourth quarter en route to the 36-point winning margin—the biggest so far in the revived league.

World Resort doubled up Mariana Resort right at the first period for an 18-7 advantage and was in full control of the match by the end of the first half, enjoying a comfortable 35-20 lead.

Eugene Manglona paced World Resort with his 13 points, while John Lewis and Dennis Vinas chipped in 12 each. Jomar Danas added 10 for World Resort, which moved up to a 1-2 mark, while Mariana Resort fell to a 0-2 slate. Ryan Manglona led Mariana Resort with his 18 points.

First Game
World Resort 74 – Manglona 13, Lewis 12, Vinas 12, Danas 10, Bernardo 5, Mostales 4, Caruana 4, Sumpay 3, Valle 3, Tiamzon 2.

Mariana Resort 38 – Manglona 18, Gatdula 6, Bansil 4, Camacho 4, Piadozo 4, Capuli 2.

Scoring by quarters: 18-7, 35-20, 59-30, 74-38.

Second Game
Fiesta 77 – Ong 16, Matsutaro 16, Esdrelon 14, Macoto 8, Galag 7, Quizon 2.

PIC 76 – Barbo 30, Demapan 12, Abuy 10, Aranda 7, Quitugua 5, Hambros 4, Babauta 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-12, 35-37, 45-50, 77-76.