Gwap Gang still undefeated in DLX/IT&E caging

Gwap Gang kept its flawless mark in the 2014 DLX/IT&E Invitational Basketball League after a 79-65 victory over JP World last Friday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

The win was fourth in as many games for Gwap Gang, which still leads Group B of the 12-team league, while JP World dropped to an even 2-2 record.

Gwap Gang led from start to finish and never gave JP World a chance to grab the upper hand, as the latter played without some key players in the first half. Juan Camacho and Manolo Manalo were playing on the other league and missed the first half of their duel against Gwap Gang, while 3-point shooter Marlon Sison did not play in the entire match.

Facing a depleted crew, Gwap Gang nearly took a double-digit lead at the break, 37-28, and though JP World made a little headway in the third, 49-55, the former went all out in the fourth for the 14-point winning margin.

Lester Vertudez delivered the killer blows for Gwap Gang, as he scored 11 markers in the fourth quarter, including the team’s first nine points in that canto.

In the first game, Jerome Norita waxed hot from downtown to lift Saipan Ice to a 72-69 win over San Roque.

Norita collected 24 points, 15 of them came from the 3-point area to give Saipan Ice its third win in four games. Norita drilled Saipan Ice’s last 5 points, including his fifth triple of the night to help his team thwart San Roque’s rally.

Norita’s four other triples came in the first half. He had one in the first period and then dropped the three straight treys to start the second quarter, allowing Saipan Ice to run a 16-20 deficit to a 36-33 halftime lead.

Saipan Ice kept the driver’s seat in the second half, as Norita drew enoug support from his teammates.

First Game
Saipan Ice 72 – Norita 24, Chen 12, Pena 11, Sablan 8, Palacios 4, Rangamar 6, Kaipat 4, Saralu 2.
San Roque 69 – De Guzman 20, Fernando 10, Mendoza 10, Guiang 10, Mina 5, Dayrit 5, Odicta 4, Barrios 2.
Scoring by quarters: 16-20, 39-33, 56-50, 72-69.

Second Game
Gwap Gang 79 – Vertudez 16, Ito 10, Darag 10, Ano 9, Rabauliman 8, Yap 6, Deleon Guerrero 6, Rabasto 5, Dela Rosa 5, Kwon 4.
JP World 65 – D. Camacho 18, Manalo 14, De Leon 11, Jose 9, Schrader 7, J. Camacho 4, Sacramento 2.
Scoring by quarters: 25-16, 37-28, 55-49, 79-65.