Lopsided victory for IT&E

IT&E’s Marlon De Dios, center, fakes off the defense of MS Villagomez’s Joe Guerrero, left, and John Villagomez during the third quarter of their game in the Atkins Kroll Marianas International Basketball League last Saturday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Pre-tournament favorite IT&E lived up to high expectations after pounding MS Villagomez, 88-54, in their debut game in the Atkins Kroll Marianas International Basketball League last Saturday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

IT&E’s firepower proved to be too much for MS Villagomez, which only managed to keep up with the former in the first quarter after taking a shaky 2 point-lead, 19-17. It was all IT&E after that, as every player the winning squad fielded in was able to contribute to the team’s cause en route to the lopsided victory.

IT&E started shifting gears in the second period to grab the lead, 44-28. Center Paolo Rafols stood out for IT&E in the pivotal quarter, as he delivered 8 points. He also drew a lot of help from his teammates, with eight other IT&E players contributing at least one field goal each for their 16-point advantage at the break.

While IT&E’s offensive arsenal was in full display in the second frame, it was a different story for MS Villagomez, which had only three players making it to the board and none of them nailed more than two baskets. John Babauta logged 4 points, while Toshi Pangelinan was the only other MS Villagomez player to hit a field goal, as Eli Aughenbaugh’s 3 points all came from the foul line.

Aughenbaugh made up for his so-so game in the second period after scoring 6 points in the third canto. However, that was not enough to spark an MS Villagomez’s fightback, as IT&E kept throwing jabs in the penultimate quarter to wind down its opponent.

Jaymark De Guzman led IT&E’s attack in the third period, as he recorded 9 points. Again, it was not a one-man job for IT&E, as six more players also hit the board in the third frame to stretch their lead to 29, 67-38.

MS Villagomez fell to a much deeper hole in the second to the last quarter, as it still struggled on offense with only John Villagomez and Babauta helping Aughenbaugh. MS Villagomez then showed some promise in the fourth period when several of its players began to hit their targets. However, IT&E matched almost every basket MS Villagomez made for an impressive debut win.

De Guzman top-scored for IT&E with his 15 points, while Marlon De Dios and Rafols chipped in 13 apiece. Five other IT&E players finished with at least 7 markers each.

Aughenbaugh led MS Villagomez after firing 13 points, while Villagomez tallied 10.

IT&E 88—De Guzman 15, Rafols 13, De Dios 13, Peredo 9, Demapan 8, Esdrelon 7, Barbo 7, Aranda 6, Devero 2, Rabasto 2.
MS Villagomez 54—Aughenbaugh 13, Villagomez 10, Babauta 8, Pangelinan 7, Lajara 5, Teregeyo 4, King 3, Ada 2, Guerrero 2.
Scoring by quarters: 19-17, 44-28, 67-38, 88-54.