Team Marianas, Martech-Ol’ Aces prevail as playoffs start

Team Marianas’ Eli Garcia goes up for a layup but gets fouled by a Save More player during their playoff game in the 2023 Michelob Ultra Cup Men’s Islandwide Basketball League Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (LEIGH GASES)

Team Marianas and Martech-Ol’Aces prevailed in the opening round of the 2023 Michelob Ultra Cup Men’s Islandwide Basketball League playoff last Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The last game of the night between CNMI national basketball pool players and Save More saw Team Marianas overwhelm them, 98-65.

Team Marianas showed why they represent the CNMI as they played an aggressive and speedy stance that Save More could not catch up to.

Jack Aranda rang in a 3-pointer to start off the game and with assists and open shots, along with multiple fouls to Coby Santos, the first quarter ended in their favor, 22-12.

Save More was drowning and could not save themselves even as their leading scorer Jet Jandoc tried to throw a buoy of 15 points—but it wasn’t enough to get them out of deep water.

By the third quarter, Save More was behind, 75-48, and Team Marianas’ Ervin Villarin took the game home in the last quarter as he banked 10 of their 23 points.

Eli Garcia scored the most for Team Marianas with his 24 markers.

In the first game of the night, Martech-Ol’Aces went into triple digits, 109-78, against Socho.

The first minutes of the first quarter was all Martech-Ol’Aces when they sunk in accurate shot after accurate shot from the paint and also from 3-point territory.

Airson Atan sprinkled in a couple of free throws after his 4 markers and Kevin Kabiriel complemented him with two three-pointers. 

Socho could not regroup as they put up just 9 to Martech’s 24 heading into the second quarter.

Socho continued on their downward spiral in the last two quarters with Martech never losing steam. 

Atan continued his ball-to-basket domination and ended the game with 25 points and led his team to victory along with Preston Basa not skipping a beat with his three 3-point shots and one field goal.

Team Marianas and Martech Ol’Aces are in the winners bracket with one win each and will face off against each other in the second round. Meanwhile, Socho and Save More are in the losers bracket.

Tonight is the game between Ali’i-Blue Haus and La Mesa Kusina at 6pm; New Changming Market will face off against CK Saints at 7:30pm.

First Game
Martech Ol’Aces 109 – Air. Atan 26, Kabiriel 14, Schmidt 12, P. Basa 11, Aif. Atan 9, Lizama 7, Pelisamen 6, Onopwy, T. Basa 4, Brungard 4. 
Socho 78 – H. Aguon 19, G. Pangelinan 17, Mettao 10, Taisague 12, D. Faisao 6, Limes 5, Lizama 2, Q. Faisao 2.
Scoring by quarters: 24-9, 53-37, 85-55, 109-78. 

Second Game
Team Marianas 98 – Garcia 24, G. Sablan 20, K. Santos 13, C. Santos 11, Villarin 10, Aldan 9, Aranda 5, Raquepo 2, J. Sablan 2.
Save More 65 – Jandoc 15, David 10, Torres 9, Bernardo 8, Tekiupua 6, Genese, Solis 4, Mejarito 4, Dancel 3, Vicente 2.
Scoring by quarters: 22-12, 49-27, 75-48, 98-65.