Saipan Ice finishes strong

Saipan Ice’s Ben Olopai loses the ball as he is challenged in the rebound play by McDonald’s McClain Achas during the fourth quarter of their game in the JP World caging last Monday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Saipan Ice & Water wrapped up its regular season campaign in the 2nd JP World Corp. Customer Appreciation Basketball League with a come-from-behind 82-68 victory against McDonald’s last Monday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Saipan Ice finished the single-round robin elimination with an even 4-4 record, winning its last three games and moving up to the top half of the team standings in the nine-squad field after staying at the bottom midway in the competition. McDonald’s ended the regular season on a roller-coaster mode, as it dropped to a 3-5 slate.

McDonald’s had a good chance to win its last game in the elimination when it led by double figures after the first half, 39-27. McDonald’s peppered Saipan Ice with triples in the second quarter to turn a 3-point deficit, 11-14, to a 12-point advantage. Sherwin Gaspar knocked in four treys, while Joe Ayuyu and Michael Achas made one apiece to put McDonald’s one top after the first 20 minutes of play.

However, McDonald’s lost the driver’s seat in the third period, as Derrick Rangamar and Henry William teamed up in Saipan Ice’s fightback. Rangamar drilled 14 of his game-high 28 points in the third frame, while William chipped in 10 to give the lead back to Saipan Ice, 59-56, entering the final canto.

It was a close game since then and McDonald’s was still in contention, down by only 5, 66-71, going into the last two minutes of the match. However, McDonald’s was held to one field goal in the homestretch, while Rangamar, Welson, Ben Olopai, and John Santy delivered the killer blows to extend Saipan Ice’s streak to three.

Meanwhile, in the first game, Tan Holdings cruised to a 104-89 win against Top Development, Inc. to finish the elimination with a 7-1 slate.

Tan Holdings prevailed in its last two matches after absorbing its lone loss in the season at the hands of the unbeaten Micronesian Brokers, Inc./Kentucky Fried Chicken, while TDI fell to a 1-6 mark.

Tan Holdings played without team captain Elmer Esdrelon, but his absence was hardly felt as Paul Quizon and Jared Matsutaro stepped up and combined for nearly half of the team’s total output. Quizon scored 28 points, while Matsutaro contributed 22.

Henry Manipon had a game-high 32 points for TDI, which will play Mariana Resort today in its last game in the elimination. TDI must win against Mariana Resort and pray that CUC loses to Docomo in the other match tonight to make it to the playoffs. Only the Top 8 teams will advance to the next round and CUC and TDI are tied for eighth to ninth place with their similar 1-6 marks.

MBI/KFC and Joeten will complete tonight’s triple-header with the winner getting the top ranking in the playoffs.

First Game
Tan Holdings 104 – Quizon 28, Matsutaro 22, Rivera 15, Macoto 10, Nonato 10, Kim 9, Pablo 8.

TDI 89 – Manipon 32, Velasco 32, Pollisco 12, Arreza 8, Lumayag 5.

Scoring by quarters: 25-15, 55-45, 77-64, 104-89.

Second Game
Saipan Ice 82 – Rangamar 28, William 18, Welson 11, Santy 9, Kaipat 8, Olopai 6, Villagomez 2.

McDonald’s 68 – Gaspar 16, Mc. Achas 16, Mi. Achas 14, Gapor 12, Palacios 3, Ayuyu 3, Manibusna 2, Rigua 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-11, 27-39, 59-56, 82-68.