Ol’Aces first to Michelob Cup finals

Martech Ol’Aces’ Douglas Schmidt attempts to block New Chang Ming’s Gerald Flores during their playoff game of the 2023 Michelob Ultra Cup Men’s Islandwide Basketball League last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (LEIGH GASES)

Martech-Ol’Aces is the first team to make it into the 2023 Michelob Ultra Cup Men’s Islandwide Basketball League when their playoffs resumed after Typhoon Mawar last Saturday afternoon at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Ol’Aces had their work cut out for them against contender New Chang Ming Market in the first game of the afternoon when they won a close 97-92 game.

It was all Ol’Aces in the first and second quarter as New Chang Ming tried to navigate the tight defense and screens of Ol’Aces. 

Heading into the third quarter, however, New Chang Ming changed tactics and pushed a more defensively aggressive game and came away with a few steals to catch up to Ol’Aces by just five points.

Ol’Aces could not get past 71 points and New Chang Ming was chugging quickly after them and after a free throw was made by Tyrik Basa, they were stuck at 72 points. New Chang Ming’s Shane Deleon Guerrero could’ve made it 72-72 but missed his free throws.

They found their groove again after Ol’Aces’ leading scorers, Airson Atan and Douglas Schmidt, led them to victory as they scored 27 and 24 points, respectively.

Daryl Foronda was the only player to score 20 points and led New Chang Ming, while Gerald Flores had 18 markers of his own.

New Chang Ming could’ve swayed the game in their favor in many instances, but could not capitalize and crucial fouls on Ol’Aces players allowed them to pull away into the top finals spot for the championship game.

The second game of the day was between Team Marianas and Save More, which Team Marianas won, 93-80.

Team Marianas then played against New Chang Ming last Sunday with the results to follow. The winner of that game will face off in the championship round against a waiting Martech-Ol’Aces at 6pm tonight.

Team Marianas’ Coby Santos showed his dominance on the court once again and led the CNMI National Basketball pool of players with his 21 markers. Right behind him is Ervin Villarin with 18 points and Jack Aranda with 16.

Save More were pushed out of contention as they failed to stage a comeback after falling behind by 15 points heading into the last quarter.

They could not close the gap as Team Marianas mounted point after point and Save More’s top shooters Jet Jandoc’s 20 points, Joseph Torres’ 15 points, and John Mejarito’s 13 markers were not enough to stay in the playoffs.

First Game
Martech Ol’Aces 97 – Air. Atan 27, Schmidt 24, Brungard 17, Lizama 10, Aif, Atan 10, Kabiriel 4, Barcinas 4, Basa 1. 
New Chang Ming 92 – Foronda 2 0, Flores 18, Asauo 15, Pastrana 14, Deleon Guerrero 7, Cruz 6, Gontar 6, Aimario 4, Aspasan 2.
Scoring by quarters: 26-21, 51-46, 71-65, 97-92.

Second Game
Team Marianas 93 – C. Santos 21, Villarin 18, Aranda 16, G. Sablan 9, Aldan 8, Garcia 6, K. Santos 6, Richardson 4, Hocog 2, Brennan 2, J. Sablan 1.
Save More 80 – Jandoc 20, Torres 15, Mejarito 13, Ibe 13, Bernardo 9, Genese 5, Tekiupua 4, Dancel 1. 
Scoring by quarters: 23-20, 44-37, 69-54, 93-80.