The Game overcomes Susan’s Catering; Ol’Aces still perfect

The Game starting center Dennis Mendiola faces a Susan’s Catering double team in the open division of the 2nd Annual Saipan Centennial Lions Basketball League last Saturday at the Civic Center Basketball Court in Susupe. (MARK RABAGO)

The Game outplayed Susan’s Catering at crunchtime, while Martech-Ol’Aces continued its march toward perfection in the open division of the 2nd Annual Saipan Centennial Lions Basketball League last Saturday at the Civic Center Basketball Court in Susupe.

The Game needed crucial offensive rebounds and putbacks from former CNMI and Guam national player Dennis Mendiola in the clutch to withstand Susan’s Catering, 89-84.

The match was a dogfight from the get-go with The Game leading only by 3 ponts, 23-20, after a quarter of play.

It was only a candlestick lead at the half with The Game holding on to a precarious 41-40 spread.

Susan’s Catering turned the tables on The Game at the start of the second half and had a 62-61 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes of the ballgame.

Both teams were playing a game of chicken until the senator from Tinian used all his 6’1” frame to out-rebound the smaller Susan’s Catering players and he eventually converted those caroms to key baskets at endgame. 

Steve King led six The Game players in double figures with 22 points as his team improved to a 4-3 win-loss record, while spitfire Joseph Torres shot a game-high 24 in a losing effort for Susan’s Catering, which dropped to an even 5-5.

In the second game, Martech-Ol’Aces kept its date with perfection after obliterating contender JTM Saipan, 98-80, to improve to 8-0 in the season.

Former Palau and CNMI national player Douglas Schmidt exploded for a season-high 38 points to lead the Oleai squad, which also got 14 points from Preston Basa and 11 points from Kevin Kabiriel. 

Big man Jonel Broncano and swingman Ryan Bayna scored 17 points and 16 points, respectively, in the setback, which was JTM Saipan’s fourth in nine starts. 

Last Thursday, Blue Haus kept RNV Construction winless in the masters division with an 81-70 victory. The win allowed the normally powerhouse Blue Haus team to level its record at 3-3.

The other game last Thursday was canceled due to rain. Ditto for the two games last Friday.

First Game
The Game 89 – King 22, Richardson 15, Bravo 14, Mendiola 13, Sablan 13, Guerrero 10, Ong 2.
Susan’s Catering 84 – Torres 24, Bernardo 15, Padayao 14, Duenas 11, Capalad 8, Genese 6, Galarse 3, Castillo 3.
Scoring by quarters: 23-20, 41-40, 61-62, 89-84.

Second Game
Martech-Ol’Aces 98 – Schmidt 38, Basa 14, Kabiriel 11, Lizama 10, Brungard 8, Pelisamen 7, Atan 4, Barcinas 3, Onopwy 2.
JTM Saipan 80 – Jone. Broncano 17, Bayna 16, Bernardo 14, Tengco 11, Cruz 6, Ruiz 4, Jona. Broncano 3, Ferrer 3, K. Rodriguez 2, Demonteverde 2, Dancel 2.
Scoring by quarters: 31-16, 56-36, 75-53, 98-80.