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PIC pounces on Customs to win debut
Pacific Islands Club’s Mike Espinosa soars for a layup during their game against Custom in the IT&E inter-government/business league last Wednesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Pacific Islands Club debuted strong in the 2016 IT&E Inter-Gov’t/Business Basketball League following a 75-55 demolition of Customs last Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
PIC’s youngblood got the job done, as former MISO standouts Jack Aranda, Mike Espinosa, and Emerson Feria teamed up in the easy victory. Aranda led all scorers with his 21 points, while Espinosa chipped in 17, and Feria also finished in double figures with his 10 markers.
Aranda and company dominated the match right at the get-go, taking a 21-9 advantage in the first quarter. Aranda fired up early, knocking in 11 markers in the opening canto, including 8 straight late in that period.
The Sonics gunner then took a breather in the second frame, but his teammates stepped up to keep the double-digit spread at the break, 39-23. The Sonics went on to register its biggest lead in the third canto, 53-30, and were never threatened as the best that Customs could do was moved within 12, early in the fourth, 46-58.
Meanwhile, DFS won the other game last Wednesday night after outclassing NMSA Spartans, 77-72.
DFS withstood the Spartans’ fourth-quarter rally to pull off the 5-point win.
Ivan Devero and Junar Guiab hit clutch baskets in the final canto to save DFS. They combined for 11 of DFS’ last 13 markers with Devero drilling 4 straight markers and Guiab adding 3 consecutive markers to foil the Spartans’ come-from-behind bid.
The Spartans had to fight back in the final canto after falling behind by 17, 43-60, at the end of the third period. Preston Basa anchored the recovery with his 3-point shooting, but fell short in the end with Devero and Guiab coming into DFS’ rescue.
Devero top-scored for DFS with his 22 markers, while Marlon De Dios contributed 17, including the team’s last basket. Guiab added 9 for DFS, which drew at least 6 points each from five other players.
Nak Nakashima led the Spartans with his 20 markers, while Basa registered 18 despite reporting for the match only in the second half.
