San Antonio and Hibiscus each earned the nod over separate opponents in last Friday's 3rd Blue Haus Invitational basketball tournament matchups held at Garapan Basketball Court.
San Antonio torched Maplas Ka'Money, 110-65, in the first pairing, after which Hibiscus outlasted Yuman Construction, 89-84.
San Antonio connected with five 3-pointers in the first period to capture an early 28-23 lead, but Maplas Ka'Money hung around to within a pair of baskets at halftime, 44-48.
The latter's Trevor Norita struck twice from behind the arc for 14 points in the first period, but disappeared shortly after and added just two baskets in the remainder of the game.
His teammate Dennie Cortez filled the void through intermission with a much-needed 8 points in the second quarter that helped keep the group in contention, but all that would soon change as San Antonio's Bryl Alegre and Jaymark De Guzman chipped in 6 points apiece to lead their team's second quarter stand.
As if it was toying with its opponents, San Antonio caught fire after the break and sprung out to a daunting 81-57 lead heading into the final period.
Maplas Ka'Money, on the other hand, went the other way and only mustered 13 markers in the third canto.
San Antonio's Melvin Cadiang almost single-handedly matched their effort with his 11 points that was complemented by 8 apiece by De Guzman and Jack Aranda.
Needless to say, the fourth quarter was uneventful as San Antonio ran away with it in the end.
Cadiang led four San Antonio cagers in double figures with 22 points, while Maplas Ka'Money's Cortez coped with 21 under duress.
In the nightcap, Yuman Construction held a one-basket advantage, 22-20, after the opening 10 minutes of the second matchup and the teams ended up knotted at 45-all at halftime.
Yuman center Leo Cristobal bulldozed his way for 7 points in the first quarter and welcomed a trio of long-range strikes by his boys.
After contributing a dual effort of 13 points in the first period, Hibiscus' Preston Basa splashed in a trio of three-balls in the second quarter that went with 8 more from his wingman Jun Hernandez.
Yuman's Chris Lansang did his best to hold things together for his team and hustled out 12 needed points to keep pace with their rivals.
Hibiscus' Daniel Isip and Nelson Manangan then led their teammates in the third quarter with 6 points apiece that helped them move in front, 69-61.
Sonny Yumul tried to mount a comeback for Yuman, but Hibiscus center Art Trajano nailed in the coffin with a timely 10-point burst in the fourth period
Yuman's Lansang topped the field with 23 points in the loss, while Hernandez paced Hibiscus with 20.
First Game
San Antonio 110 - Cadiang 22, De Guzman 19, Aranda 18, Salem 17, Alegre 16, Palacios 6, Villanueva 4, Saturno 4, Park 2.
Maplas Ka'Money 65 - Cortez 21, Norita 18, Inos 12, Peters 8, Flores 2, Usi 2, Anicieta 2.
Scoring by quarters: 28-23, 48-44, 81-57, 110-65.
Second Game
Hibiscus 89 - Hernandez 20, Trajano 17, Basa 16, Isip 10, Manangan 8, Tenepere 6, Diaz 4, Gonzales 4, Pena 2.
Yuman Construction 79 - Lansang 23, Ymul 17, Cristobal 17,Galvez 14, Sahagun 14.
Scoring by quarters: 20-22, 45-45, 69-61, 89-79.
Home | Weather | Advertising | Classifieds | Subscription | Contact
Us | About Us | Archives
©2006 Saipan Tribune. All Rights Reserved
