Team Marianas drubs Unity Trade; Saints march on

CK Saints’ Jason Bahillo challenges OG Rollers’ Nyrel Eugenio in the 2023 Michelob Ultra Cup Men’s Islandwide Basketball League last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (MARK RABAGO)

Team Marianas brought division over at Unity Trade, while CK Saints marched on against OG Rollers in the 2023 Michelob Ultra Cup Men’s Islandwide Basketball League last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Seeing action in the first game, the CNMI national basketball pool routed Unity Trade after a shaky early going, 88-67.

Both teams fought tooth and nail in the first quarter that saw Team Marianas take only a 19-16 lead.

They then flexed their muscles at the start of the second to go ahead, 45-28, before playing even better in the third to enter the fourth and final quarter on top, 69-49, then cruised to the 21-point win.

Coby Santos had a team-high 18 points with Greg Sablan and Matthew Richardson chipping in 14 points and 13 points, respectively, for Team Marianas, which upped its standings to 4-1.

Mark Ferrer led all scorers with 22 points for the now 1-4 Unity Trade.

In the second game, CK Saints turned the tables on OG Rollers at the start of the second half to win running away, 91-82.

OG Rollers dominated the first 10 minutes of action and led, 26-16, before CK Saints exorcized their inner demons and cut their deficit to 4 points, 45-49, at the half.

CK Saints then continued their march the rest of the game to roll up the Rollers by 9 points.

Leo Galarse shone all game long for CK Saints with 27 points, while Eli Aughenbaugh contributed 19 as they raised their record to 2-3.

OG Rollers, which dropped to 1-4, were led by the 22 points of Frankie Satur and the 18 points of Jay Palmes.

Last Saturday, Socho won its second game of the season after edging La Mesa Kusina, 102-98, in the opener to catch its victims in the standings at 2-3. In the second game, Martech-Ol’Aces demolished Bridge Capital LLC, 99-48, to improve to 5-0, while keeping their foes winless in five games.

Roil Soil OG then beat Unity Trade, 96-67, for its first win of the season against four losses last Friday. In the second game, Ali’i Blue Haus (4-1) shot down Save More (3-2), 74-64.

On Thursday, Ali’i won its third game after turning back CK Saints, 81-69. In the first game, New Chang Ming Market posted win No. 5 following a 97-68 victory over La Mesa Kusina.

First Game
Team Marianas 88 – C. Santos 18, G. Sablan 14, Richardson 13, Aranda 11, Garcia 8, Raquepo 7, Villarin 5, Hocog 5.
Unity Trade 67 – Ferrer 17, Javier 9, A. Camacho 8, Tarava 7, Esmores 7, Piritcino 6, G. Camacho 3.
Scoring by quarters: 19-16, 45-28, 69-49, 88-57.

Second Game 
CK Saints 91 – Galarse 27, Aughenbaugh 19, Tudela 11, Bahillo 9, Deleon Guerrero 7, L. Reyes 6, Lizama 4, R. Reyes 3, Yacummang 2, Mendiola 2.
OG Rollers 82 – Satur 22, Palmes 18, Vania 11, Mariano 10, Cruz 6, Coldeen 3, Eugenio 2. 
Scoring by quarters: 16-26, 45-49, 69-67, 91-82.