Fiesta, Shirley’s secure outright semis berths

Shirley’s Coffee Shop and Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan clinched the two automatics semis berths in the 2014 Tan Holdings Inter-Company Basketball League after finishing in the Top 2 of the double-round robin regular season.

Shirley’s got a 10-game sweep and took the No. 1 spot after winning via default over POI, while Fiesta placed second as it improved to a 7-3 record following a 91-77 victory over Kanoa Resort last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

With Fiesta and Shirley’s bagging the first two semis spots, Kanoa (6-4), CTSI/D&Q (3-7), POI (2-8), and Saipan Tribune/Realty Management Services (1-9) will dispute the two remaining Final Four slots. The pairings for the first two playoff berths are Kanoa vs Saipan Tribune/RMS and CTSI/D&Q vs POI and games will be played this Saturday.

CTSI/D&Q placed fourth in the team standings after outclassing Saipan Tribune/RMS in overtime, 84-82, in the second game last Saturday. Saipan Tribune/RMS missed a layup in the closing seconds of the regulation and Jersh Angeles’ triple came in late in the extension period, allowing CTSI/D&Q to escape with the 2-point win.

CTSI/D&Q got the 2 points off a split from Edong Echavez and Ed Garcia. Both players scored in double figures with Garcia tallying 19 and Echavez adding 17 to back up the 22 points of Ariel Jinang. Dennis Chan and Angeles paced Saipan Tribune/RMS with 17 points apiece, while Irish Pagarao contributed 12, but missed the go-ahead layup in the fourth quarter.

While CTSI/D&Q needed extra five minutes to finish the regular season with a win, Fiesta coasted its way to victory against Kanoa.

Fiesta dominated Kanoa in the second round en route to the 14-point win. Ahead by only a deuce at the break, 41-39, Djay Ong helped Fiesta gain more cushion in the third, dropping 16 points and lifting his team to a 64-54 advantage. Ong kept going in the fourth canto and his other teammates contributed, too, to seal their semis stint. Ong exploded for 45 points to lead all scorers.

First Game
CTSI/D&Q 84 – Jinang 22, Garcia 19, Echavez 17, Nieves 8, Eliazar 7, Candalla 6.

Saipan Tribune/RMS 82 – Chan 17, Angeles 12, Pagarao 12, Moran 10, de la Torre 7, Rabago 6, Regis 6, Pajarillaga 2.

Scoring by quarters: 10-18, 32-27, 60-54, 74-74, 84-82.

Second Game
Fiesta 91 – Ong 45, Quizon 15, Esdrelon 9, Lavarias 8, Macoto 8, Demafelix 7, Belo 4, Villamena 3.

Kanoa 77 – Duenas 29, Armia 14, Pablo 14, Usi 11, Bustillo 2, Ordena 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-17, 41-39, 64-54, 91-77.