Ol’Aces, Ballers blow out opponents

The Ol’Aces’ Gino Libuw is up against Best Sunshine International’s Fred Litulumar, center, and Jose Oyola, right, during the fourth quarter of their game in the men’s island-wide caging last Tuesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Ol’Aces and Ballers outgunned their respective foes in the 2016 Island-wide Men’s Basketball League last Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Ballers clobbered the Sonics in the first game, 87-73, while the Ol’Aces pounced on Best Sunshine International in the second match, 105-69,

The blowout win was a good welcome for Kobee Mendoza, who is on vacation and suited up for the Ol’Aces for his first game on Saipan after leaving the island to study and play basketball in the mainland. Mendoza broke into double figures in his debut in the league, making 11 as he and the Ol’Aces ran a high-octane offense to crush BSI.

Freddie Pelisamen led the Ol’Aces’ run and gun game, firing 18 points, while his six other teammates also finished in twin digits.

Pelisamen missed the first quarter of the match, which saw the Ol’Aces ahead by only 8, 25-17. When he arrived in the second canto, the Ol’Aces shifted on a high gear and peppered BSI with shots from all corners. The Ol’Aces went on to post their biggest lead at 38 points, 102-64, and Mendoza capped the team’s dominance of BSI with a triple.

In the other game, Ballers also broke loose in the second frame, turning a 22-17 lead to a 53-30 halftime spread. Lerio Pagarao sparked the breakaway, drilling 6 of the Ballers’ first 7 markers in the second period, while Elgene Mangali finished what the former started, tallying 7 in the closing minutes of the first half.

Ballers never looked back from thereon, as their other players also stepped up on offense in the second half.
Mangali paced Ballers with his 15 points, while Ken Viray and Pagarao added 13 each. Mark Ferrer and Chris Lilles also had double figures, recording 10 apiece, while Mike Arciaga top-scored for the Sonics with his 15 markers.

First Game
Ballers 87— Mangali 15, Viray 13, Pagarao 13, Ferrer 10, Lilles 10, Sison 6, Borja 5, Tenorio 4, Villacrusis 3, Lauron 2.

Sonics 73— Arciaga 15, Aranda 11, Galarse 11, Rabasto 9, Espinosa 9, De Guzman 6, Dela Rosa 5, Fidelino 2.

Scoring by quarters: 22-17, 53-30, 67-56, 87-73.

Second Game
Ol’Aces 105 — Pelisamen 18, Pua 14, Mendoza 11, Schmids 10, Barcinas 10, Basa 10, Libuw 10, Babauta 8, Deleon Guerrero 8, Lizama 6.

BSI 69 — Santos 25, Esteves 16, Litulumar 14, Oyola 12, Suda 2.

Scoring by quarters: 25-17, 48-32, 69-47, 105-69.