Shirley’s, Fiesta Resort survive overtime games

Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan’s Elmer Esdrelon tries to get away from the defense of two World Resort players during their game in the Budweiser Inter-Hotel caging last Tuesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Shirley’s Coffee Shop endured the first extended match, slipping past Hyatt Regency Saipan in double overtime, 84-81, while Fiesta edged World Resort in another OT tiff in the second game, 85-83. Shirley’s barged into the win column after dropping its opener against World Resort last week, while the defending champion Hyatt lost its third match in as many games.

Rommel Usi led Shirley’s tough win, as he scored 27 points. He waxed hot from downtown, firing six triples with the last three coming in the fourth and two extension periods. His triple in the second overtime, followed by Joseph Aguilar’s point-blanked shot sealed it for Shirley’s. Usi also started the first extra five minutes with a shot from downtown, while Sean Rabasto hit clutch free throws to force the second OT, 75-75.

Fradel Sedillo backed up Usi, nailing 26 markers, including four straight points in the first overtime. Aguilar also finished in twin digits with 10, contributing six in the last two extension marks.

Sahj Hossain had 26 points to pace Hyatt but was without a field goal in the second overtime. Hossain played catch up from the start after falling behind by eight in the first period, 14-22, threatening Shirley’s on repeated occasions in regulation before falling short in the end, as they could not neutralize Usi and Sedillo in overtime.

Meanwhile, in the second game Elmer Esdrelon drilled two pressure-packed free throws in the closing seconds of the extension period to keep Fiesta’s unbeaten record in two games. Fiesta defeated Hyatt in its first game last week.

Esdrelon’s crucial charities completed Fiesta’s come-from-behind win. Fiesta went scoreless in the first five minutes of the opening canto, allowing World Resort to take an early double-digit spread, 11-0. World Resort went on to end the first frame with a 12-point advantage, 21-9, and retained the double figure lead at the break, 38-23, as Fiesta continued to struggle offensively.

Fiesta then began rallying in the third period, bringing the deficit down to four at the end of the third, 53-49, behind the baskets of Esdrelon, Jared Matsutaro, and Djay Ong. Fiesta kept its uphill climb in the fourth to force the standoff and stole the win in the extra five minutes to hand World Resort its first loss in two games.

Shirley’s 84 – Usi 28, Sedillo 26, Dela Rosa 12, Aguila 10, Rabasto 6, Catungal 2.

Hyatt 81 – Hossain 26, Libuw 18, Alipio 12, Vargas 6, Rios 4, Chan 4, Rivera 2, Garcia 2.

Scoring by quarters: 22-14, 31-27, 48-43, 63-63, 75-75 (1st OT), 84-81 (2nd OT).