Previous Story
MJD snaps Islander’s winning streak
MJD Warriors’ Jaymark De Guzman takes his time at the foul line during their game against Islander Rent A Car in the IT&E Emon Lodge caging last Saturday at the Koberville Gymnasium. (Roby N. Pamintuan)
MJD Warriors turned the tables on Islander Rent A Car in the second half for an 82-74 victory in the lone game played in the IT&E Emon Masonic Lodge No. 179 Mixed Masters Brotherhood Basketball League last Saturday at the Koblerville Gymnasium.
MJD was the underdog in this matchup, as it held a 2-1 record before facing Islander, which then was unbeaten in three games. Islander boosted its bid for a fourth straight victory, as majority of the first half was in its favor after leading by as much as 10 points in the second quarter before going into the halftime break with a 43-39 advantage.
However, MJD shifted gears in the second half, grabbing the lead over Islander at the halfway mark of the third quarter, 64-51. After leapfrogging Islander, MJD never looked back, as its lead ballooned to as much as 19 points behind a flurry of three pointers and baskets off fastbreak plays.
“Once we start with our defense, we get our offense going. It doesn’t matter who scores—this whole team contributed,” Jack Aranda commented after the game.
MJD’s second half run was led by the quartet of Aranda, Jun Tabora, Jaymark De Guzman, and Alex Ocampo, as they finished with 19, 18, 16, and 10 points, respectively. De Guzman had a highlight shot in the first half, as he drilled a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, while Aranda scored 12 points in the pivotal third quarter.
While Islander fought back to cut MJD’s lead down to just 4 points with under a minute remaining in the final frame, the Warriors stiff-armed Islander’s rally with great team defense and timely baskets by Bobby Sampang and Tabora.
Getz Jandoc top-scored for Islander with his 19 points, while Elgene Mangali chipped in 17, and Rocyl Ritual had 11 on a losing effort.
Meanwhile, Pacific Islands Club Saipan got a free win against Kanoa Krushers, as the latter did not have enough players to face off the former. PIC now has a 3-1 record, while Kanoa dropped to a 1-2 mark.
MJD 82 — Aranda 19, Tabora 18, Ja, De Guzman 16, Ocampo 10, Mungcal 7, Jo. De Guzman 6, Sampang 6.
Islander 77 — Jandoc 19, Mangali 17, Ritual 11, Tabora 8, Guiang 7, Pangelinan 6, Saplan 4, Manabat 2.
Scoring by quarters: 17-21, 39-43, 64-51, 82-74.
