Save More wins debut in UFO caging

Save More/MIFICPA’s Andy Mortos, center, could not handle a strong pass from his teammate, while Maplas/Angat Pinoy’s Mico Usi, left, sticks close to him on defense during the second quarter of their game in the UFO caging last Thursday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Save More/MIFICPA barged into the win column in its first try after dominating Maplas/Akap Pinoy, 88-79, during the second game in the 2016 UFO/IT&E Inter-Organizational Basketball League last Thursday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Save More got off to a jackrabbit start to build enough cushion and negate Maplas/Akap Pinoy’s comeback bids in the last three quarters. Save More exploded for 32 points to establish an early double-digit lead. Elgene Mangali led Save More’s strong start, as he scored 9 points in the first period, while his teammates provided enough support for their 32-17 advantage.

Maplas, behind Ken Viray, then outgunned Save More in the next two frames, to bring the deficit down to single digits, 49-58. Viray had 12 points in the second and third periods and continued to pile up points in the fourth in his attempt to bring Maplas back into the game.

However, Save More after being held to 28 points in the second and third cantos, countered Maplas’ baskets in the final frame to keep the lead and the win.

Sid Quan stepped up for Save More in the payoff period after Mangali slowed down and was limited to a pair of free throws and one field goal. Quan scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth period where Save More knocked in 6 points from the foul line to secure the victory. Quan had the last two charities, while Marlon made four.

In the first game, Ali’i Blue Haus/Bayani took the early lead in the nine-team field after downing PC Bargain/Visminda, 86-64.

Ali’i Blue Haus now has a 2-0 record, while PC Bargain absorbed its second loss in as many games.

The league-leading team fired 20-plus points in the first three quarters to set up the easy win. Tony Diaz recorded 8 points in the first quarter for Ali’i Blue Haus’ 21-14 advantage, while Elmer Esdrelon took over the team’s offense in the second, making 9 points and stretching their lead to 46-37 at the break.

At the resumption of the match, Esdrelon, Diaz, and Junar Guiab teamed up for 15 of their 23 points in the third period to lift Ali’i Blue Haus to a 69-51 advantage. PC Bargain never made headway in the fourth to remain at the bottom of the team standings.

Esdrelon and Diaz paced Ali’i Blue Haus, logging 14 points each, while Guiab and Manolo Manalo also finished in double figures with 13 and 10, respectively. James VIllacrusis had 30 markers for PC Bargain, nailing all, but two of his squad’s field goals in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, 8th Division/MAFEA (0-1) and Cavite (1-0) played in the first game last Saturday, while Save More dueled Stephen’s Pawnshop (0-1) in the second and results of these matches will be reported in Saipan Tribune’s Tuesday edition.

First Game
Ali’i Blue Haus 86 — Esdrelon 14, T. Diaz 14, Guiab 13, Manalo 10, Demapan 8, Barbo 8, Devero 7, Santos 4, Mendoza 2, Moises 2, Pagarao 2.
PC Bargain 64 — Ja. Villacrusis 30, Manibusan 12, Reyes 11, Jo. Villacrusis 7, Alano 2, Legaspi 1, Cabugawan 1.
Scoring by quarters: 21-17, 46-37, 69-51, 86-64.

Second Game
Save More 88 — Mangali 21, Quan 20, Lilles 11, Sison 9, Mortos 7, Sanciangco 6, Guiang 5, Backe 5.
Maplas 79 — Viray 32, Sanguyo 14, Fernando 11, Yalung 4, Galulu 4, Sedillo 4, Usi 4, Cortez 3.
Scoring by quarters: 32-17, 44-29, 58-49, 88-79.