Pepoy’s debuts strong; Ace Aircon escapes Vizion

Pepoy’s Cafe & Restaurant’s Dave Sablan drives against a RNV Construction defender in their masters division game in the 2nd Annual Saipan Centennial Lions Club Basketball League last Friday at the Civic Center Basketball Court in Susupe. (MARK RABAGOMARK RABAGO)

Pepoy’s Cafe & Restaurant had a strong debut against RNV Construction, while Ace Aircon nipped Double A Corp./Vizion Insurance in the continuation of the masters division of the 2nd Annual Saipan Centennial Lions Club Basketball League last Friday at the Civic Center Basketball Court in Susupe.

With high-flying Gab Camacho leading the way, Pepoy’s Cafe buried RNV Construction under a ton of points and led 28-8 in the first quarter. 

Out for redemption Dave Sablan then joined the scoring parade in the second as Pepoy’s Cafe continued to throttle their opponents and opened an insurmountable 46-19 spread at the half.

It was more of the same in the third, as Pepoy’s Cafe more than doubled RNV Construction and entered the payoff period up by 39 whopping points.

The fat lady already sang in the fourth but play was halted with a little over 3 minutes left in the contest when RNV Construction point guard Benedict Zapanta hit his head hard on the court. Paramedics eventually arrived and whisked him to the Commonwealth Health Center where he was treated.

The game was understandably called off with Camacho and Sablan leading Pepoy’s Cafe in scoring with 19 and 14 points, respectively, while bullstrong Andy Mortos paced  RNV Construction with 14 markers.

In the second game, Edmund Basi connected on a triple with about 7 seconds left to lift Ace Aircon to a 79-78 win over Double A/Vizion.

It was a dogfight from the get-go between the evenly matched teams with Ace Aircon taking a 19-16 lead after the first quarter. 

Double A/Vizion hunkered down to work in the second and took a 38-37 candlestick spread at the half before Ace Aircon managed to take the initiative coming into the fourth and final quarter, 58-53. That set up the tug of war in the final 10 minutes of the contest.

Basi led all scorers with 21 points, while center Jorge De Guzman and Alvin Fundador added 15 markers apiece.

Longtom artist Rodney Catalla led the way for Double A/Vizion with 16 markers with John Jugos adding 14 points.

Last Saturday, Blue Haus made mincemeat of JSN Enterprises Inc., 81-66, in the masters division. In the open division, New Chang Ming Market beat JTM Saipan, 76-59.

Last Thursday, Lakay bullied Susan’s Catering, 91-82, and Puerto Rico Bento surprised Ali’i, 90-77, both in the open division.
On Wednesday in the open division, The Game toyed with Checkpoint Intl., 85-66, and JTM Saipan debuted with a 65-49 thrashing of Socho Team.

First Game
Pepoy’s Cafe & Restaurant 77 – Camacho 19, Sablan 14, Mamaril 10, Villacrusis 8, Natividad 7, Usi 7, Galulu 6, Tabora 4, Mina 2.
RNV Construction 43 – Mortos 14, Jumaquio 6, Odicta 5, Bucayag 4, Udaundo 3, Alfonso 3, Zapanta 2, Rueda 2, R. Tagle 2, M. Tagle 2.
Scoring by quarters: 28-8, 46-19, 70-31, 77-43.

Second Game
Ace Aircon 79 – Basi 21, De Guzman 15, Fundador 15, Bisana 8, Tobias 4, Tibayan 4, Dayrit 4, Montano 3, Pangelinan 3, Manabat 2.
Double A Corp./Vizion Insurance 78 – Catalla 15, Jugos 14, Sedillo 12, Rivera 12, Tenorio 6, Lumanlan 5, Lontoc 4, Palero 3, Surima 2, Pablo 2, Cabaluna 2.
Scoring by quarters: 19-16, 37-38, 58-53, 79-78.