Paradise Realty nips Lakay/Islanders in men’s division

Juan Camacho, seen here in a file photo, scored 16 points for Paradise Realty in their win against Lakay/Islander in the men’s division of the SCLC Basketball League last Thursday night at the Gillette Multi-Purpose Gymnasium in Gualo Rai. (MARK RABAGO)

Zach Diaz scored on a inside foray in the dying seconds to lift Paradise Realty to an 88-86 win over Lakay/Islander in the men’s division of the Inaugural SCLC Basketball League last Thursday night at the Gillette Multi-Purpose Gymnasium in Gualo Rai.

The win improved Paradise Realty’s win-loss standings to 4-1, while the setback dropped Lakay/Islander to 3-3.

Paradise Realty stormed out of the gates and led 18-11 thanks to the 5 early points of Airson Atan.

But Lakay/Islander would get right back in the thick of things as Keith Santos found his rhythm and scored 8 points to give his team a 39-31 advantage at the half.

The see-saw battle continued in the third with Atan returning to form by exploding for 8 points to give Paradise Realty a 61-58 edge heading into the fourth and final quarter.

Both teams continued to fight tooth and nail in the final 10 minutes of the contest. Atan and center Juan Camacho primarily carried the offensive load for Paradise Realty, while Preston Basa shot the lights out, firing 10 of his 16 total points in the payoff period.

Diaz, however, came out of nowhere to outshine the leading scorers, nailing the winning basket. He finished with 8 points, but none more critical than the marginal deuce.

Atan led all scorers with 22 points, while Camacho fired 16 in support. Center Zeric Gant and Basa led Lakay/Islander’s losing cause with 16 apiece.

In the first game, Blue Haus/Alii got 14 points from Errol Peredo and 13 points from Jaymark De Guzman to upend JTM, 70-55. It was the fourth win in seven tries for Blue Haus/Alii, while the loss was JTM’s very first in four games.

In the second game, IT&E finally barged into the winning column with an 80-75 win over RNV Construction. While the victors improved to 1-3, the losers remain in the men’s division cellar at 0-4.

First Game
Blue Haus/Alii 70 – Peredo 14, De Guzman 13, Lauron 12, Talania 11, Devero 10, Esdrelon 5, Berline 3, Santos 2.
JTM 55 – Bautista 16, Dancel 12, Directo 7, Volua 5, Gantor 4, Rodriguez 3, Ferer 3, Demonteverde 2, Broncan 1.
Scoring by quarters: 19-9, 31-29, 53-45, 70-55.

Second Game
IT&E 70 – Reign 19, Torres 12, De Guzman 12, Camacho 11, Morales 7, Jose 6, Singca 4.
RNV Construction 75 – Villacrusis 24, Ocampo 22, Vargas 9, Villanil 9, Taraya 4, Andolina 4, Alcoseba 3.
Scoring by quarters: 24-18. 42-43, 60-57, 80-75.

Third Game
Paradise Realty 88 – Atan 22, Ju. Camacho 16, Castro 9, Rasa 9, Diaz 8, Del Rosario 6, Joyner 5, Dela Cruz 4, B. Sablan 3, J. Sablan 2, Jo. Camacho 1.
Lakay/Islander 86 – Gant 16, Basa 16. Santos 11, Rabauliman 9, Escano 9, Capalad 9, Dela Cruz 7, Natividad 6, Aguon 3.
Scoring by quarters:18-11, 31-39, 61-58, 88-86.