Shirley’s, Kanoa rout opponents

Shirley’s Coffee Shop’s Erick Dela Rosa stretches for a layup against Mamba’s Djay Ong during the second half of their game in the Tan Holdings caging last Friday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Shirley’s Coffee Shop and Kanoa Resort got off to a rousing start after demolishing their respective foes in the opening of the 2016 Tan Holdings Inter-Company Basketball League last Friday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Shirley’s played in the curtain-raiser and whipped Mamba’s, 55-36, while Kanoa Resort hammered Lower Base, 125-40.

Kanoa’s prized recruit Douglas Schmidt proved to be too much for Lower Base, as the former Palau National Team member outgunned their entire opponents after exploding for 44 points in his debut in the league. As if Schmidt’s output was not enough for Kanoa to post a lopsided win, holdover Matt Duenas also made his presence felt early in the competition after adding 35 markers.

Schmidt, who was recently named regular season and Finals MVP in the Mariana Islands Basketball Federation’s island-wide league, scored Kanoa’s first 8 points en route to lifting his team to a commanding 52-19 halftime lead.

In the first game, Shirley’s also built an early double-digit lead, 32-14, to cruise to its debut win.

Aaron Pamintuan paced Shirley’s with his 17 points, while Erick Dela Rosa also finished in twin digits with 12. Only Djay Ong had double figures for Mamba’s, logging 12.

Meanwhile, defending champion Fiesta Resort closed out the opening day with a 65-59 triumph over Pacific Oriental, Inc.

Fiesta had a balance offense and gained control of the match in the first half to build cushion against POI’s rally in the final frame.

Jarett Matsutaro top-scored for Fiesta with his 12 points, while Adonis Macoto contributed 11, and five others made at least 5 points apiece.

First Game
Shirley’s 55 — Pamintuan 17, Dela Rosa 12, Jugos 6, Sabino 6, Catungal 4, Pollisco 4, Palma 3.
Mamba’s 36 — D. Ong 12, De la Torre 9, Chan 6, J. Ong 6, Calibo 2, Angeles 2, Regis 2.
Scoring by halves: 32-14, 55-36.

Second Game
Kanoa Resort 125 — Schmidt 44, M. Duenas 35, Pablo 8, Sacramento 8, Bustillo 6, E. Duenas 4, Rabauliman 2.
Lower Base 40 — W. Benavente 8, Alegre 7, Jinang 5, Bazinero 4, Sablan 3, Garcia 2, Camu 2, J. Benavente 2.
Scoring by halves: 52-29, 125-40.

Third Game
Fiesta 65 — Matsutaro 12, Macoto 11, Rivera 8, Nonato 6, Maratita 6, Esdrelon 5, Quizon 5, Villamena 2, Lavarias 2.
POI 59 — Santos 21, Arago 14, Ramos 11, yu 5, Mendiola 4, Tenepere 2.
Scoring by halves: 35-21, 65-59.