Shirley’s back on track, downs Sun Palace

Shirley’s Coffee Shop’s Jeraldine Castillo dribbles in front of two Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan defenders during their game in the 2014 Tan Holdings Basketball Classic last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Shirley’s Coffee Shop snapped its two-game losing skid after defeating Sun Palace Hotel, 38-27, in the lone women’s division match in the 2014 Tan Holdings Basketball Classic last Tuesday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

With the victory, Shirley’s improved to 5-4 for a share of third place with idle Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. Sun Palace is still winless in nine games.

Jeraldine Castillo, who fell short in leading Shirley’s to a come-from-behind victory against Fiesta last weekend, 43-45, this time made sure her team had the game in control early to  bag the easy win. She scored a game-high 20 points, knocking in 8 of Shirley’s last 10 points in the first half to give her team a 24-12 advantage.

Castillo slowed down a bit in the second half, adding only 6 points, but the cushion Shirley’s gained in the first 20 minutes of play was enough to preserve the team’s double-digit winning margin.

Diane Pablo backed up Castillo, chipping in 10 points, while Mae Ito, Havika Farro, Patrishia Echavez, and Jasmine Phan also made it to the board for Shirley’s.

No Sun Palace player broke into double figures with Shaina Abadilla tallying only 8 markers. Marlene Lumabi contributed 7, while Candice Avelino, Ljay Francisco, and Shelo Olivos combined for 12 markers.

Sun Palace is out of the playoff race along with Kanoa Resort (2-6), while Armatech (9-0), IT&E (5-3), Fiesta (5-4), and Shirley’s are in the semifinals with two three games left in the elimination.

The remaining matches this week will determine the semis pairing, Armatech is already assured of the No. 1 spot and will be pitted against the No. 4 finisher. The No. 2 and 3 placers will duel in the other semis tiff.

IT&E and Kanoa were scheduled to play in one of the three remaining matches last night at 7pm and results of the game were unavailable at press time. IT&E will then conclude its elimination round assignment this Saturday when it takes on Shirley’s Coffee Shop at 5:30pm, while Sun Palace will challenge Armatech in the final match at 7pm.

The first semis match between the No. 1 and 4 squads will be played on Thursday at 6pm, while the other Final Four pairing No. 2 and 3) is slated next Friday also at 6pm. Winners of the semis matches will go for the marbles next Saturday at 7pm.

Shirley’s 38–Castillo 20, Pablo 10, Ito 2, Farro 2, Echavez 2, Phan 2.

Sun Palace 27–Abadilla 8, Lumabi 7, Avelino 5, Francisco 4, Olivos 2.

Scoring by halves: 24-12, 38-27.