Saipan Ice stuns Hite Beer

Bryle Alegre, seen here faking off the defense of Puerto Rico’s Martin Moreno during the Season 3 of DL Corp. caging, still playXs for San Antonio, which routed defending champion Island Floral last Wednesday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Hite Jinro absorbed its first loss after winning its first six games, while Saipan Ice snapped a six-game losing skid.

The trio or Dan Barcinas, Derrick Rangamar, and Jack Lizama teamed up in the stunner. Barcinas finished with a game-high 28 points, while Rangamar and Lizama chipped in 22 apiece.

Barcinas and company led from start to finish, capitalizing on the absence of some Hite Jinro players. Hite played without Jason Lampkin, Rolly Paraiso, and Zack Babauta.

With Hite’s big men out, Jack Lizama eased his way to 8 early points in the first period, which ended with Saipan Ice ahead, 20-13. Saipan Ice went on to score 20-plus points in the last three quarters to pad its lead, as Barcinas and Rangamar joined the scoring spree and Hite failed to counter with consecutive baskets.

Saipan Ice increased the lead to twin digits at the half, 44-34, behind the 10 markers of Lizama, and was way ahead after the third, 71-53, with Barcinas exploding for 16 markers in the penultimate frame. Rangamar finished off Hite in the fourth, drilling 11 points.

In the second game, San Antonio gained its second straight lopsided win to improve to a 6-1 record and tie Hite in the top spot of the nine-team field.

San Antonio, which routed Maplas last Monday, 105-78, also reached the century mark last Wednesday with its 102-75 thrashing of defending champion Island Floral (3-4).

The young guns of San Antonio proved to be too much for Island Floral as the latter had the game in the bag as early as the third period, leading at 80-58. Six San Antonio players scored in double figures to pound Island Floral. Jaymark De Guzmand had 20 points, Jack Aranda added 17, and Mike Fidelino chipped in 14. Kobe Mendoza contributed 12, while Emerson Feria and Miek Arciaga tallied 11 each. Djay Ong led Island Floral with his 14 markers.

First Game
Saipan Ice 106 – Barcinas 28, Rangamar 22, Lizama 22, Kaipat 10, Pena 10, Standish 3, Mendiola 2.

Hite Jinro 73 – De Leon 14, Camacho 13, Mizer 12, Tenorio 10, Lauron 6, T. Montes 6, Sision 6.

Scoring by quarters: 20-13, 44-34, 71-53, 106-73.

Second Game
San Antonio 102 – De Guzman 20, Aranda 17, Fidelino 14, Mendoza 12, Feria 11, Arciaga 11, Alegre 5, Javier 2, Espinosa 2.

Island Floral 75 – Ong 14, Tabora 12, Bisana 10, Capalad 10, Kaipat 9, Norita 6, Tobias 5, Teregeyo 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-16, 51-23, 80-58, 102-75.