Enforcers win protest-marred Game 1

The Department of Public Safety Enforcers grabbed a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three championship series against Tinian in the 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

However, the win was bitter sweet as the game is currently under review as a protest was raised after the sound of the final buzzer.

Tinian cagers questioned several calls in the final quarter of regulation and in overtime, both involving shot clock rulings by referees.

According to league coordinator Joey Dela Cruz, a meeting regarding the issue will be held today at 3:30pm at the Ada Gym conference room. Representatives from both teams will meet with Dela Cruz and BANMI vice president Elias Rangamar.

Meanwhile, the Enforcers survived despite giving up an 18-point lead and left with a 105-102 win.

The Enforcers controlled the first quarter, leaning on the shoulders of former National cager Peter Camacho, who scored the team’s first eight points and added another bucket to spearhead a 23-17 run.

Tinian was stronger in the second and both teams matched each other point for point to head into the break with the Enforcers maintaining their six-point edge, 49-43.

Tinian went on a 5-0 run to start the second half, 48-49, but the Enforcers responded with Camacho, who worked for another 10 points while getting solid support from Jake Celes, Elias Saralu, and Joe Ito. A bucket by Saralu gave DPS a 10-point spread, 62-52, and the team went on a 14-8 run to close the period ahead by 16 points, 76-60.

Like they did when trailing No Zone in the semis, Tinian stormed back into contention and did it quickly. Veteran John Santos buried two bombs from long range, J.R. Reyes and Jess Manibusan drove in for two buckets apiece, and Ton Borja hit two triples, the second tying the game at 82-82 with 4:42 remaining in regulation.

The game was tied at 84-84 when Oscar Sablan hit a layup and Camacho went coast to coast for consecutive baskets for a 90-84 DPS lead with 2:49 left.

Santos came up big again for Tinian from long distance as he was on target for two more triples, with the second shot pulling his team to within two points, 92-94, with 1:39 remaining. Ben Pelisamen hit a triple for DPS, but Santos responded with another triple, 95-97. Santos drew a foul with 52.6 seconds on the clock, but missed both free throw attempts. Fortunately, Manibusan came up with the rebound and Tinian worked the ball around before Ian Cruz was found open in the lane for the game-tying basket, 97-97, with 31.4 seconds on the clock.

The game headed into overtime and a big triple by Borja gave Tinian a 100-99 lead. The two teams exchanged leads, and DPS tied the game at 102-apiece on a free throw by Camacho before Ito nailed two free throws and Celes hit another for the final score.

Camacho finished with 40 points, while Ito and Pelisamen added 18 and 15 points for the Enforcers.

Borja and Santos led Tinian with 35 and 31 points, while Manibusan contributed 10 points.

Game 2 is scheduled for 6:30pm this evening.

Earlier, No Zone had enough juice to beat Department of Labor in overtime, 94-91.

Labor opened with a 26-16 run in the opening period, but No Zone rallied and got big baskets by Ed Diaz and Carl Hocog in the final minuets of overtime for the victory.

Diaz led No Zone with 45 points, while John Palacios and Jess Stole supported with 21 and 11 points.

Steve Rasa and Mitch Aaron led Labor with 19 points apiece before fouling out, while Ponce Rasa and Tim Wesley pumped in 17 and 16 points.

Championship Game

DPS 105 – Camacho 40, Ito 18, Pelisamen 15, Celes 9, Saralu 7, Sablan 7, Manglona 5, warfield 2, Taitano 2.

Tinian 102 – T. Borja 35, Santos 31, Manibusan 10, Reyes 8, Cruz 6, R. Borja 4, Manglona 3, C. Pascua 3, L. Pascua 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-17, 49-43, 76-60, 97-97, 105-102 (OT).

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Jess Pacheco.

Consolation Game

No Zone 94 – Diaz 45, Palacios 21, Stole 11, Ayuyu 9, Hocog 8.

Labor 91 – S. Rasa 19, Aaron 19, P. Rasa 17, Wesley 16, Fujihira 8, Manibusan 8, Poquiz 4.

Scoring by quarters: 16-26, 42-45, 62-66, 84-84, 94-91.

Referees: Gilbert Espinosa and Eric Artillaga.