Saipan Vegas still perfect; MSV wins

MS Villagomez’s John Babauta is fouled by AK Toyota’s Jedial Manalo, left, during their game in the Atkins Kroll Marianas International Basketball League last Tuesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Kimberly

Saipan Vegas and MS Villagomez earned lopsided victories in the Atkins Kroll Marianas International Basketball League last Tuesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

MS Villagomez dominated AK Toyota in the second game, 100-78, while Saipan Vegas routed Caravan’s in the curtain-raiser, 97-68. Saipan Vegas remained undefeated in five games to take the solo lead in the 10-team lead, while Caravan’s absorbed its second loss in three matches for third place. MS Villagomez moved up to sixth spot with its 2-2 slate, while AK Toyota dropped to a 2-3 mark for seventh place.

MS Villagomez exploded for 32 points in the first quarter to ease its way to win No. 2. It had five players scoring at least two field goals apiece for the team’s strong start. Keoni Dela Cruz led MS Villagomez’s opening-quarter assault after firing 7 points.

Toyota failed to match MS Villagomez’s firepower in the first period, as Alex Lauron was the lone bright spot for the former when the match kicked off. Alvin Pantola stepped up in the second canto with his 13 points, but his efforts was voided by the balance offense of MS Villagomez, which kept the double-digit spread after the first half, 49-36.

In was the same story in the second, as MS Villagomez continued to get contributions from multiple players, while only Jedial Manalo stood out for Toyota in the third quarter and Lauron doing the same in fourth.

Dela Cruz paced MS Villagomez with his 20 points, while Matt Richardson added 19. Six other MS Villagomez players chipped in at least 6 points apiece. Pantola led Toyota with his 21 markers, while Lauron logged 18.

In the first game, Saipan Vegas buckled down to work in the second quarter to set up the 29-point winning margin.

Ahead by only 6 after the first canto, 25-19, Coby Santos anchored Saipan Vegas’ breakaway in the second after delivering 13 points. He knocked in three triples, as he nearly made half of Saipan Vegas’ total output to bring their lead to twin digits by halftime, 54-36.

Santos, who had 8 points in the first period, was held to one basket in the third, but came back strong in the fourth to finish off Caravan’s. He drilled three more triples in the final canto to round up the game with 35 points and finished with a double double, as he also collared 10 rebounds.

Caravan’s, after scoring a league-best 144 points in their previous game (versus TanHoldings) was held to 68 points, clearly missing the services of gunner Ken Viray.

First Game
Saipan Vegas 97—Santos 35, P. Basa 15, Atan 14, Schmidt 9, Sablan 6, Kabiriel 6, Deleon Guerrero 5, Rabauliman 4, Diaz 2, E. Basa 1.
Caravan’s 68—Andrew 16, Standish 11, Factor 10, Younis 9, Rasa 6, Maratita 6, Quan 4, Rotap 3, Sablan 3.
Scoring by quarters: 25-19, 54-35, 75-49, 97-68.

Second Game
MS Villagomez 100—Dela Cruz 20, Richardson 19, Manibusan 14, Kwon 11, Deleon Guerrero 9, King 9, Aughenbaugh 7, Teregeyo 6, Guerrero 2, Pangelinan 2, Villagomez 1.
AK Toyota 78—Pantola 21, Lauron 18, Manalo 10, Fitial 10, De Guzman 6, Boswell 5, Catalla 5, Francis 2, Kintol 1.
Scoring by quarters: 32-17, 49-36, 72-58, 100-78.