Patriots, Talaabwogh snap skids

The San Antonio Patriots’ Michael Espinosa, second left, grabs the rebound after a miss from his teammate during the second quarter of their game in the MIBF caging last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The San Antonio Patriots are back on track following an 83-73 win over the Talaabwogh Stars in the second game in the Mariana Islands Basketball Federation’s Inaugural Men’s Outdoor League last Friday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Patriots went 2-0, but dropped their next two games before ending their skid with a 10-point victory over Talaabwogh. The Tanapag-based Talaabwogh was handed its fifth loss in as many games, but managed to finally make it to the win column after a 74-66 triumph over the Chinese Association (0-5) last Monday night at the San Antonio court.

Ian Norita, after exploding for 32 points on a losing effort against the Patriots last weekend, still led Talaabwogh in scoring, firing 25 in their 8-point win over the Chinese Association.

Norita knocked in 15 of his total production in the first quarter to lift Talaabwogh to a 23-17 advantage. The lead was stretched to double figures at the end of the second and third quarters as Norita drew enough support from his teammates.

The Chinese Association, behind Mii Tekopua, brought the deficit down to single digits, but still fell short in the end to remain at the bottom of the team standings in the nine-squad field. Talaabwogh moved up a bit in the ladder (eighth place) with it 1-5 mark.

The Patriots joined the Chinese Association and Talaabwogh at the bottom half of the team ranking after a twin-digit winning margin against the latter.

The Patriots gained full control of their match against Talaabwogh at the start of the second half, turning a 38-30 halftime lead to a 66-45 spread, going into the fourth canto. Mike Arciaga, Jester Kintaro, and Leo Galarse teamed up in the breakaway, combining for 20 of their 28 markers in the pivotal quarter. Kintaro and Galarse scored 7 points each, while Arciaga had 6.

The 19-point lead after the third period gave the Patriots enough cushion against the one-man show of Norita for Talaabwogh. Norita drilled 24 of Talaabwogh’s 28 points in the fourth quarter and the team’s last 22 markers. The Talaabwogh gunner knocked in six straight triples in the final frame.

Monday Game
Talaabwogh Stars 74 — Norita 25, F. Lifoifoi 7, Sunumai 7, Arthur 6, Kani 6, J. Lifoifoi 6, Evangelista 5, Lieot 4, Sulap 4, Omar 2.

Chinese Association 66 — Tekopua 20, Chen 16, Zhang 10, Xiao 6, Jia 5, Li 5, Liu 4.

Scoring by quarters: 23-17, 45-32, 68-45, 74-66.

Friday Game
Patriots 83 — Arciaga 16, Kintaro 15, Aranda 14, Espinosa 13, Galarse 9, Rabasto 4.

Talaabwogh Stars 73 — Norita 32, J. Lifoifoi 12, Arthur 6, Kani 6, Evangelist 5, Sunumai 4, Lieto 2, F. Lifoifoi 2, M. Aguon 2.

Scoring by quarters: 22-18, 38-30, 66-45, 83-73.