The Game ousts Puerto Rico Bento

The Game’s Arnold Arellano drives against Puerto Rico Bento’s John Bayking (30) and Darryl Foronda (14) as teammate D.J. Ong battles for position during their open division matchup in the 2nd Annual Saipan Centennial Lions Basketball League last Monday at the Civic Center Basketball Court(MARK RABAGO).

The Game advanced to the semifinals even as New Changming Market took the first slot in the finals of the open division of the 2nd Annual Saipan Centennial Lions Basketball League resumed last Monday at the Civic Center Basketball Court.

Seeing action in the first game, The Game was short handed as only seven players showed up for their do-or-die match against Puerto Rico Bento.

Despite this, The Game got off to a good start and led their rivals, 16-12, after the first 10 minutes of play. 

They would only build on that lead come the second quarter as Arnold Arellano and D.J. Ong got loose with buckets down low to give The Game a 38-28 spread at the half.

The Game continued to cruise in the second half as Puerto Rico Bento appeared stuck in the mud even as Coby Santos and Darryl Foronda tried to rally the troops.

After trailing 49-59 entering the fourth and final quarter, Puerto Rico Bento appeared ready for a comeback with Mark Mintac returning from injury.

But not even a couple of minutes into the game the high-flying guard crumpled to the floor after apparently re-injuring his left leg. 

Rather than sulking, Puerto Rico Bento rallied and trimmed The Game’s lead to manageable proportions before Greg Sablan came to the rescue.

With Puerto Rico Bento dangerously looming, 63-68, with time down to 4:14, Sablan hit back-to-back-to-back triples to finally break the backs of their opponents on an 11-2 game-ending run.

Sablan led all scorers with 24 points, while Arellano added 21 markers. Santos and Foronda paced Puerto Rico Bento with 23 and points, respectively.

In the second game, New Changming blitzed Martech-Ol’Aces, 15-0, in the first five minutes of the ballgame before surviving a dizzying barrage of 3-pointers in the fourth to win 80-76.

New Changming led 33-9 and 49-28 after the first two quarters as Jack Aranda got off to a Jack Rabbit start before Martech-Ol’Aces woke up from its doldrums in the payoff period.

Dropping a 33-13 bomb in the fourth, led by three 3-pointers from Preston Basa, Martech-Ol’Aces almost erased a  43-67 deficit and even got a gimme from Sidney Quan who inadvertently scored on their own basket.

At the end, New Changming’s lead was too big and the rally too late as coach Dennis Cortez and crew escaped by the skin of their teeth.

New Changming’s backcourt of Aranda and Jeff Castro led the team with 19 and 15 markers, respectively. Basa almost willed Martech-Ol’Aces to the comeback win with 26 points, while Kelvin Fitial added 12.

Martech-Ol’Aces now faces The Game in the semifinals tonight.

First Game
The Game 79 – G. Sablan 24, Arellano 21, Natividad 11, Ong 11, J. Sablan 5, Hernandez 4.
Puerto Rico Bento 63 – Santos 23, Foronda 21, Bayking 6, Fundador 5, Ibe 4, Mintac 2, Galang 2.
Scoring by quarters: 16-12, 38-28, 59-49, 79-63.

Second Game
New Changming Market 80 – Aranda 19, Castro 15, Flores 9, Deleon Guerrero 7, Almario 6, Santos 6, Standish 4, Quan 3, Gontar 3.
Martech-Ol’Aces 76 – Basa 26, Fitial 12, Atan 11, Kabiriel 9, Brungard 7, Lizama 7, Barcinas 4.
Scoring by quarters: 33-9, 49-28, 67-43, 80-76.