POI rallies past Warriors for second win

POI Aviation’s Lester Pascual, right, pulls up for a baseline jumper against the Lower Base Warriors’ Eliesar Kenty during the second quarter of their game in the TanHoldings caging last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

POI Aviation made it two in a row after a come-from-behind 63-60 victory over the Lower Base Warriors in the third game in the 2017 Tan Holdings Inter-Company Basketball League last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

POI outgunned the Warriors in the second half, 31-21, to bounce back from a 32-39 halftime deficit and steal the win that put the former on top of the team standings, joining defending champion Kanoa Resort and Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. Kanoa played against Shirley’s Coffee Shop in the curtain-raiser and posted a 48-44 triumph, while Fiesta defeated Saipan Tribune in the second game, 45-42.

In the nightcap, POI drew at least two field goals apiece from five players in the second half to wipe out the Warriors’ lead. Ferdie Arago led POI’s better offense in the final 20 minutes of play, scoring 10 of his 18 points in that period. Nak Nakashima and Jesse Santos also delivered for POI as they finished with 11 and 10 markers, respectively.

Edong Echavez had 16 points for the Warriors, who dropped to a 0-2 record.

Meanwhile, Fiesta also redeemed itself in the second half after falling behind by as much as 11 in the opening frame and the first few minutes of the last.

Arjay Nonato poured all his 13 points in the second half after going cold in the first, while Paul Quizon knocked in a crucial triple in the homestretch to lift Fiesta to the 3-point win. Troy Ngirarois also helped Fiesta’s cause and top-scored for his squad after making 15 markers.

In the first game, veteran Dindo Pablo tallied 9 of his 11 points in the second half to foil Shirley’s repeated comeback bids. He registered Kanoa’s last 3 points to seal the win.

Benjie Sison also hit double figures for Kanoa, posting 11 points, 7 of them came in the final half, while Carl Francisco canned two of the squad’s last four field goals to deny Shirley’s its first win.

First Game
Kanoa 48 — Pablo 11, Sison 11, Bustillo 8, Francisco 8, Tam 4, Encarna 2, Joab 2, Patricio 2.
Shirley’s 44 — Jugos 20, Alonzo 8, Nicdao 4, Metran 4, Bordon 3, Drillon 3, Anatacio 2.
Scoring by halves: 22-19, 48-44.

Second Game
Fiesta 45 — Ngirarois 15, Nonato 13, Esdrelon 6, Quizon 5, Macoto 4, Francisco 2.
Saipan Tribune 42 — D. Ong 16, Edralin 12, Usi 4, Galarion 4, M. Ong 2, Calibo 2, Lapuz 2.
Scoring by halves: 14-19, 45-42.

Third Game
POI 63 — Arago 18, Nakashima 11, Santos 10, Pascual 6, Deleon Guerrero 5, Bait 4, Yu 4, Tenepere 3, Kim 2.
Warriors 60 — Echavez 16, Jinang 13, Fujihira 12, Benavente 12, Riungel 4, Elieisar 2.
Scoring by halves: 32-39, 63-60.