Lady Ol’Aces, 670 Sonics hammer opponents

The Lady Ol’Aces’ Connie Camacho, right, stops and pops for a jumper in front of Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan’s Irish Pagarao, center, and Chanel Espinosa during the third quarter of their game in the MIBF island-wide caging last Wednesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Jon Perez)

The Lady Ol’Aces and 670 Sonics coasted past their respective foes in the the 2018 MIBF Island-wide Basketball League last Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the curtain-raiser, the 670 Sonics pounded Casino, 11-7-65, while in the second match, the Lady Ol’Aces dominated Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, 54-32.

The 670 Sonics established an early double-digit lead in the first half behind the guns of Matt Duenas and kept going in the second, as their other players stepped in. Duenas dropped 17 of his 24 points in the first half, which ended with the 670 Sonics on top, 54-28.

Matt’s cousin, Ernest, Bryan De Guzman, Rafael Ordona, and Jun Fidelino then made their contributions in the second half to widen the gap further. All four finished in twin digits, while four other 670 Sonics players chipped in at least 6 points each in the team’s impressive display of offensive firepower.

Sonny Marinas led Casino with his 20 markers and clearly lacked support from his teammates, as their squad absorbed its third straight loss after winning its debut against the Genesis All-Stars.

The 670 Sonics are still perfect at 5-0 to join idle Ol’Aces on top of the team standings.

The Lady Ol’Aces also hold an immaculate 5-0 mark for the solo lead in the four-team field following the 22-point win over Fiesta Resort.

Ahead by only 3 early in the third period, 26-23, the Lady Ol’Aces had a 9-0 scoring run in a span of three minutes and change to take a double-digit lead, 35-23. The Lady Ol’Aces went on to keep their safe distance against the erratic Fiesta Resort to remain undefeated this season.

Lia Rangamar paced the Lady Ol’Aces with her 15 points, while fellow CNMI Women’s National Team member Taz Deleon Guerrero added 8.

First Game
670 Sonics 117— M. Duenas 24, E. Duenas 16, B. De Guzman 13, Ordona 13, Fidelino 10, Tengco 9, Abobo 7, R. De Guzman 7, Cadiang 6, Ngeskebei 5, Javier 3.
Casino 65 — Marinas 20, Yodico 10, Sebastian 8, Sanguyo 7, Abonita 6, Atencio 6, Bak 4, Ibag 4, Pastolero 3.
Scoring by quarters: 22-11, 54-28, 87-44, 117-65.

Second Game
Lady Ol’Aces 54 — L. Rangamar 15, Deleon Guerrero 8, C. Camacho 8, Borja 5, Kenty 5, B. Camacho 4, K. Rangamar 2, Rasiang 2.
Fiesta Resort 32 — Pagarao 12, Camacho 5, Alegre 4, Pablo 4, Flores 3, Kautz 2, Tuazon 2.
Scoring by quarters: 10-6, 23-14, 37-25, 54-32.