Saipan Vegas on a roll

Saipan Vegas’ Coby Santos leaps to catch an alley-oop pass from Douglas Schmidt during the second quarter of their game against AK Toyota in the Atkins Kroll Marianas International Basketball League last Friday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Saipan Vegas stretched its winning streak to four after cruising past AK Toyota, 112-79, in the first game in the Atkins Kroll Marianas International Basketball League last Friday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The victory kept Saipan Vegas on top of the standings in the 10-team league, while the loss dropped Toyota to fourth place with its 2-2 slate.

Saipan Vegas set up the lopsided win after pulling away in the last five minutes of the second quarter. Saipan Vegas was ahead by only 4, 32-28, when it had a 24-7 windup to close the first half with a commanding 56-35 advantage.

Saipan Vegas made one basket after another in that pivotal scoring surge, as its backcourt pressure defense forced AK Toyota to commit numerous turnovers, which the winning squad then turned into easy baskets. Douglas Schmidt and Coby Santos scored 8 and 6 points, respectively, off those turnovers, while six of their teammates also hit the board in the second-quarter breakaway.

AK Toyota never recovered in the second half, as it continued to turn the ball over and had limited options on offense after missing big men Jorge De Guzman and Alex Lauron.

Santos led six Saipan Vegas in double figures after drilling 17 points, while Brian Natividad had a game-high 20 markers for Toyota.

With De Guzman and Lauron out, Saipan Vegas lorded it over in the rebound department, 56-18. The league-leading team also led in the assists department, 37-21.

Mystique 91, The Game 63
In the other match last weekend, Mystique BBQ hammered The Game to go back on track.

Jetzen Jandoc top-scored for Mystique with his 30 points, which dropped back-to-back games before winning over The Game for an even 2-2 mark. Jandoc buckled down to work early, making 13 points to hand Mystique a 25-25 lead. He added 10 more in the second quarter to keep his team on top at the break, 44-37.

When the game resumed, Jandoc failed to score in the third quarter, but Mii Tekopua and Jerald Rivera were there for Mystique. Tekopua made 9 of his 13 points in the penultimate period, while Rivera added 6, bringing Mystique’s lead back to double figures, 72-51,

It was cruise control for Mystique from thereon, as the team handed The Game its second straight loss after a 2-0 start.

First Game
Saipan Vegas 112—Santos 17, Bondoc 16, Schmidt 12, P. Basa 12, Atan 10, Sablan 10, Deleon Guerrero 9, Diaz 8, Kabiriel 8, E. Basa 5, Rabauliman 5.
AK Toyota 79—Natividad 20, Fitial 17, Pantola 14, Catalla 10, Guillas 6, Castillo 4, Manalo 4, Francia 2, Borja 2.
Scoring by quarters: 18-20, 56-35, 78-59, 112-79

Second Game
Mystique 91—Jandoc 30, Dancel 14, Tekopua 13, Rivera 10, Gaviola 6, Torres 5, Bernardo 4, Broncano 4, Casbin 3, Galulu 2.
The Game 63—Mintac 31, Fidelino 13, Santos 5, Parulan 4, Abejo 3, Castro 3, Bernardo 2, Javier 2.
Scoring by quarters: 25-15, 44-37, 72-51, 91-63.