Saipan Tribune

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Friday, October 12, 2012

Hi-Five, Pit Bulls ease past foes

Hi-Five and SA Pit Bulls cruised to victories against separate opponents in the Masters Basketball Federation of the NMI's 2012 Recreational Basketball League last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Gymnasium.

Hi-Five defeated Konflikt in the 35A match, 94-77, while the Pit Bulls crushed Marianas Water, 80-60, in their 40A pairing.

Konflikt actually led it early, as the combined 11 points of Jun Alipio and Junar Guiab powered their team to a 25-20 lead after the opening 10 minutes. Then it remained a back and forth match through the first half, as Hi-Five grinded out a slim 47-46 margin at intermission.

Hi-Five connected with a couple of three-points, one from Edgar Pangelinan, who finished the half with 7 points, a welcome support to Banjo Basila and Tim Wesley, who teamed up for 11.

Hi-Five then shifted into overdrive after the break and motored ahead, 74-65, in the third quarter off the coattails of Basila's 10 points and a pair of treys from John Acosta. Hi-5 had plenty left in the tank down the homestretch, as it signed off with a 20-point burst led by Roy Matagolai.

Konflikt threw everything at Hi-Five, as nine players contributed on the offensive end. Guaib and Tabora combined for 33, but still fell short of Basila and Ponce Rasa's 44-point production.

In the 40A match, the Pit Bulls sunk their teeth into a 20-14 advantage after the first quarter with a well balanced attack and vamped up a big push in the second quarter behind Bobby Geli.

Geli tallied 8 markers in the surge and was not even close to finish. The Pit Bulls were seated comfortably in the driver's seat at midpoint, 38-24, when Geli remained at the helm in the third period, adding 7 more points, which teammate Mike Surima matched.

By the start of the fourth quarter, the Pit Bulls led it, 60-45, and much like what occurred in the prior two frames, Marianas Water was never able to posture a comeback.

Geli finished with a game-high 27 points.

Meanwhile, action in the Master caging resumes today with a 35A double feature, starting with IT&E versus High-Five, followed by QQ Rent A Car against Konflikt.

Then this Sunday, 40A's 8th Division takes on Armatech at 9am; 40A's Island Apparel squares off with the SA Pit Bulls at 11am; 45A's group led by Boy Garcia collides with Erika's Catering; and 50A's LBT meets Joe Pangelinan's group.

35A Division

Hi-Five 94 - Basila 24, Rasa 20, Wesley 14, E. Pangelinan 14, Matagolai 11, Acosta 9, Aaron 3.

Konflikt 77 - Guiab 17, Tabora 16, Alipio 12,Fernandez 10, Esdrelon 8, Yalung 5, Alvarez 4, Trajano 3, Patawaran 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-25, 47-46, 74-65, 94-77.

40A Division

SA Pit Bulls 80 - Geli 27, Surima 13, D. Tabora 12, Detera 8, Malicdem 4, Zapata 4, Barrozo 4, Aguilar 4, Ramos 2, Guinto 2.

Marianas Water 60 - Samson 16, Olivos 13, Anasan 10, Pacheco 9, Culala 8, Torres 7, Morales 3, Salvosa 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-14, 38-24, 60-45, 80-68.