Saipan Ice routs CUC, ends skid

Saipan Ice’s Treat Kaipat pulls up for an off-balance shot during their earlier game against Top Development, Inc. in the JP World caging at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Saipan Ice & Water snapped its four-game losing skid after whipping Commonwealth Utilities Corp., 75-60, in last Monday’s curtain-raiser in the 2nd JP World Corp. Customer Appreciation Basketball League at Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

The victory was only the second in six games for Saipan Ice & Water, which got its first nearly five months ago against Cape Air (withdrew from the league). CUC, on the other hand, continued its slide, absorbing its fifth loss in six matches.

Four Saipan Ice players teamed up in the win with Derrick Rangamar leading the way, tallying a game-high 18 points. Michael Welson also finished in double figures with his 17, while Henry William and Treat Kaipat chipped in 15 and 11, respectively.

William dropped 8 of his total points in the third quarter to help turn a 39-32 halftime edge to a big 62-42 advantage, going into the final canto. Saipan Ice never relinquished the twin-digit lead from thereon and capped the 15-point win in style by making its last three shots from downtown.

Iguel had back-to-back triples to end the match, while Welson knocked in the other one. John Santos also had two triples for CUC in the fourth and added 4 more markers, but these were not enough to spark a comeback.

Meanwhile, Joeten notched its third straight win and improved to a 5-1 record following a 79-71 triumph against Docomo (2-4) last Friday.

Joeten got off to a strong start to take control of the match and hung tough against a Docomo rally in the fourth quarter to extend its run. Joeten led by 17 at the end of the first half, 25-8, behind the 9 and 8 points of Alex Lauron and Dixon Kwon, respectively.

Docomo, which had only two players scoring in the first quarter, played catch up since then and managed to slice the deficit to single digit in the fourth with Robert Sanciango, Kevin McCale, and Tony Diaz working together. However, Docomo fell short in the end, as Joeten built enough cushion to offset the former’s 29-point production in the final canto.

Friday Game
Joeten 79 – Lauron 16, Kwon 15, Rasa 11, Benghit 9, Villegas 9, Sambile 7, Moises 7, Tobias 5.

Docomo 71 – Sanciangco 26, McCale 19, Diaz 15, Sablan 7, Mendiola 4.

Scoring by quarters: 25-8, 47-30, 69-42, 79-71.

Monday Game
Saipan Ice 75 – Rangamar 18, Welson 17, William 15, Kaipat 11, Iguel 8, Olopai 4, Villagomez 2.

CUC 60 – Simada 14, Santos 11, Nunez 10, Poquiz 9, Camacho 8, Lieto 8.

Scoring by quarters: 18-19, 39-32, 62-42, 75-60.