MBI/KFC takes solo lead in JP World caging

MBI/KFC’s Ivan Devero stretches for a layup against Mariana Resort’s Fred Litulumar during the first quarter of their game in the JP World caging last Wednesday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Micronesian Brokers, Inc./Kentucky Fried Chicken is still on a roll, notching two more wins in the 2nd JP World Corp. Customer Appreciation Basketball League this week at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

MBI/KFC crushed Top Development, Inc. last Monday, 113-84, and then defeated Mariana Resort last Wednesday, 89-69, to move up to a 6-0 record for the solo lead in the nine-team field. Mariana Resort and TDI dropped to 2-4 and 1-4 slates, respectively, and are at the bottom half of the team standings along with Commonwealth Utilities Corp. (1-4) and Saipan Ice (1-4). Tan Holdings (4-0), Joeten (4-1), Docomo (2-3) and McDonald’s (2-3) are with MBI/KFC at the top half of the field.

Three MBI/KFC players scored 20-plus points in their rout of TDI with Naks Gonacao leading the way with his 24 points. Ambet Omampo and Angelo Fernando chipped in 23 and 22 markers, respectively. Two more MBI/KFC players hit double figures with Perry Inos adding 19 and Ivan Devero rallying 10.

MBI/KFC and TDI traded triples all throughout the game, making 11 each, but the former still prevailed due to its balance scoring. Raymond Velasco and Edward Armia carried majority of the load for TDI, recording 29 and 26 markers, respectively.

Against Mariana Resort, Fernando and Devero teamed up in giving MBI/KFC a good start, as they combined for 18 points and lifted their team to an early double-digit lead, 25-11. MBI/KFC never looked back from thereon to keep its unbeaten record.

McDonald’s 67, CUC 63
McDonald’s posted its second victory in five games after getting contributions from Achas family in the fourth quarter.

McLain, Joseph, Lariesie, and Michael Achas scored 16 of McDonald’s 18 points in the final canto. Lariesie nailed two field goals in the homestretch, McLain recorded the team’s last basket, while Michael made two clutch free throws.

It was a come-from-behind win for McDonald’s as CUC had the upper hand at the end of each of the first three quarters. With the loss, Eugene Manglona’s game-high 27 points was put into waste.

Joeten 81, CUC 65
Joeten earlier handed CUC its third loss after prevailing in last Monday’s curtain-raiser.

Joeten broke away in the third quarter after exploding for 31 points. Ahead by only 4 at halftime, 36-32, Joeten nearly doubled up CUC, which logged only 16 points in the pivotal third, to build a 67-48 advantage. Alex Lauron led the assault, firing 13 of his 16 markers in that quarter. Dixon Kwon backed him up, contributing 9 for a team-high 20 points.