Perfection so far for Blue Haus in open division

Blue Haus’ Douglas Schmidt goes up against Changing Market players in this file photo in the open division of the Legends Sports Association Invitational Basketball League at the Koblerville Basketball Court. (MARK RABAGO)

Blue Haus continued to lord it over in the open division of the Legends Sports Association Invitational Basketball League after registering its fifth win in as many games last Dec. 19 at the Koblerville Basketball Court.

Prior to the league taking a two-week Christmas break, Blue Haus made sure to welcome the holidays on a high note following its 96-65 obliteration of Pacific Best Choice.

Pacific Best Choice actually took control of the game at the start and led 15-12 in the opening quarter thanks to Ryan Hipolito’s hot shooting.

Blue House was still not in the mood in the second quarter although there were some signs of life as they trimmed their deficit to a mere candlestick, 38-39, at the break.

The undefeated team then showed their fangs come the second half, as Pacific Best Choice didn’t have an answer to the barrage of points unleashed by Douglas Schmidt, Ivan Devero, and J.R. Barrios. 

With the trio humming and Blue Haus’ vaunted defense locking down Hipolito and company, Blue Haus outscored Pacific Best Choice, 31-13, to take a commanding 69-52 lead heading to the playoff period.

It was all over but the shouting in the fourth as Blue Haus again beat Pacific Best Choice black and blue thanks to some heavy lifting done by Brendon Talania and Alex Lauron and they ran away with the 30-point win.

Talania top-scored for Blue Haus with 17 points, while Lauron, Schmidt, Marlon De Dios, and Nate Mateo added at least 10 points. 

Hipolito shone with 27 markers in the loss for Pacific Best Choice, which dropped to 3-3 in the win-loss standings

In other results in the open division, JTM Saipan improved to 5-1 and within striking range of Blue Haus after defeating Vizion Insurance (2-4), 116-100.

Changming Store (5-1) kept pace with JTM Saipan in second place following its 87-48 win over NAPA Auto Parts (3-3).

Pepoy’s Rest Cafe (1-6) then proved that hope springs eternal after registering its first win of the season when it surprised Padrinos Tuesday Club (2-4), 85-63.

Marianas Health Services then evened its record to 3-3 with a forfeit win against winless Al-Ger Manpower, which dropped even deeper in the cellar at 0-6.

In the masters division, JSN Construction made short work of Vizion Insurance, 91-70, to raise its record to 5-1. Vizion Insurance dropped to 2-4.
Blue Haus kept abreast of JSN Construction after keeping Legends Elite winless in six games, 110-90.

Blue Haus 95 – Talania 17, Lauron 14, Schmidt 13, De Dios 12, N. Mateo 10, Fitial 8, D. Mateo 6, Devero 5, Barrios 4, Castro 3, Guiab 3.
Pacific Best Choice 65 – Hipolito 27, Chua 8, Bobares 7, Albert 6, Camacho 6, Arellano 4, Natividad 2, Galarse 2, Palermo 2.
Scoring by halves: 12-15, 38-39, 69-52, 95-65.