World Resort, Fiesta keep Top 2 spots

World Resort’s Eugene Manglona challenges the defense of Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Jun Alipio during the first quarter of their game in the Inter-Hotel caging last Thursday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

World Resort edged Hyatt Regency Saipan in the first game, 54-50, while Fiesta dominated Mariana Resort in the second tiff, 69-49. Fiesta is still unbeaten in four games for the solo lead in the seven-team field, while World Resort is in close second with its 4-1 record. Hyatt (2-4) is in fourth place behind Pacific Islands Club (3-1), followed by idle Kanoa Resort (1-3), Shirley’s/Century Hotel (1-2), and the winless Mariana Resort (0-4).

Mariana Resort failed to break into the win column anew after a so-so game in the first half. It scored in single digit in the first two quarters, allowing Fiesta to break away early. Fiesta enjoyed a 15-point lead at the end of the first period, as Mariana Resort managed to score only six points, while the former nailed 21.

Three straight baskets from Djay Ong early in the first matched Mariana Resort’s entire output, while Paul Quizon finished what the former started, drilling eight in the first to give Fiesta a big margin. Fiesta kept outgunning Mariana Resort in the second quarter with the former’s other players also making contributions and by the end of the first half, the league leader more than doubled up the cellar dweller, 40-14.

Fiesta never relinquished the lead from thereon, handing Mariana Resort its fourth loss in as many games.

In the first match, World Resort notched its third win in the last four games and ended Hyatt’s two-game winning run.

The curtain-raiser was a close fight right at the buzzer before World Resort gained some cushion in the third period. World Resort was still behind after the first half, 23-25, when it held Hyatt to four field goals in the third canto to grab the upper hand, 37-34. Seven different players scored for World Resort in the pivotal third, while only three made it to the board for Hyatt.

World Resort continued spreading the wealth in the fourth to protect its lead, while Kae Bernardo and Eugene Manglona hit timely shots in the final canto for the four-point win. Manglona had a team-high 15 points, six of them came in the fourth, while Bernardo had three of World Resort’s last six markers.

First Game
World Resort 54 – Manglona 13, Bernardo 10, Danas 9, Vinas 7, Tiamzon 6, Lewis 2, Mostales 2, Caruana 1.

Hyatt Regency 50 – Libuw 13, Hossain 12, Alipio 9, Lauron 8, Gabaldon 6.

Scoring by quarters: 10-13, 23-25, 37-34, 54-50.

Second Game
Fiesta Resort 69 – Ong 14, Quizon 12, Galag 10, Matsutaro 9, Esdrelon 8, Demafeliz 8, Alokoa 2, Manalo 2.

Mariana Resort 49 – Capuli 11, Delos Reyes 10, Piadoso 9, Bansil 4, San Nicolas 4, Sanchez 4, Roskow 3.

Scoring by quarters: 21-6, 40-14, 58-30, 69-49.