Saipan Tribune

Friday, May 24, 2013

Friday, September 14, 2012

LD Prime zeroes in on playoff berth

LD Prime are likely to make it to the playoffs of the DLX/Gualo Rai Invitational Basketball League, following a crucial 80-67 victory over Looban last Wednesday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

LD Prime improved to a 4-2 record for a share of the second spot in Pool B with Freestly and boosted its chances of advancing to the next round after Church 360 fell to Pool B leader Anjie's Boys (6-1), 64-81, in a make-up game last Tuesday.

Before Tuesday's and Wednesday's matches, LD Prime, Looban, and Church 360 were deadlocked at the No. 3 spot. Now, Looban (3-3) and 360 Church 360 (3-3) are left to battle QQ Rent A Car (2-3) and Gualo Rai (2-3) for the last playoff berth with LD Prime and Freestyl moving up and joining Anjie's Boys to the next round.

LD Prime nailed the important win after an explosive fourth quarter. Behind by 7 at the end of the third, 46-53, LD Prime sizzled for 34 points against LD Looban's 14.

White Capalad outscored the entire Looban crew, as he fired 17 of his game-high 32 markers in the payoff canto. The LD Prime guard logged seven straight markers midway in the fourth period to lead the breakaway.

In last Monday's game, Anjie's Boys recovered from a slow start to keep a firm grip at the top spot in Pool B.

Anjie's Boys tied Church 360 at the end of the first quarter, 12-all, before taking control of the game in the second quarter. Ezra Caro, Eugene Manglona, Frank Mettao, and Jimmy Tudela made things happen for Anjie's Boys in the second period and they continued to lead the squad in the second half to secure the double-digit winning margin.

Manglona finished with 20 points, Tudela added 18, and Mettao and Caro contributed 16 and 12, respectively.

Church 360 failed to keep up with Anjie's Boys after a standoff in the first period, as the former scored no more than 20 points in each of the last three quarters.

Tuesday Make-Up Game

Anjie's Boys 81 - Manglona 20, Tudela 19, Mettao 16, E. Caro 12, T. Caro 5, Mamaril 1.

Church 360 64 - Wood 19, Basa 15, Lutrell 14, M. Puno 7, Chavez 2, Diaz 2, Buniag 2, Buenabajo 2.

Scoring by quarters: 12-12, 35-33, 54-45, 81-64.

Wednesday's Game

LD Prime 80 - Capalad 32, Dela Rama 11, Teregeyo 7, Banatasa 7, Hernaez 6, Abaygar 6, Quemado 4.

Looban 67 - Tabamo 20, Dayrit 15, De Guzman 11, Guiang 6, Loste 6, Mateo 4, Yanto 2.

Scoring by quarters: 18-18, 32-38, 46-53, 80-67.