OPA, Proa debut strong in govt league

Last year’s finalists Office of the Public Auditor and Northern Marianas College-Proa scored lopsided wins over separate opponents to begin their respective campaigns in the 2008 season of the PTI Inter-Government Business Basketball League Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Defending champion OPA trounced an undermanned Tinian side, 102-87, while Proa used a strong first quarter in coasting to a 105-95 win over perennial contenders Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.

Ponce Rasa scored 27 points to lead three other OPA players that scored in double figures. He scored 10 in the final period to help OPA foil Tinian’s repeated come back tries.

Former CNMI Men’s National Team member Ed Diaz backed him up with 24 points, while Steve Rasa added 17 more. Tim Wesley had a quiet 12 markers.

Fritz San Nicolas led Tinian’s losing cause ending up with 24 points. Tinian only played with seven players against OPA’s 10-man rotation.

Anthony Borja and John Santos chipped in 23 and 21 each, while Julian Aquiningoc contributed 10 markers.

In the second game, Keoni Chariton ran rings around the DCCA defense to lead last year’s runner-up Proa to a 105-95 win.

Chariton scored 32 points, 14 of which came in the third quarter as the NMC crew of coach Rufino Aguon enjoyed a 75-54 lead going into the payoff period.

DCCA twice trimmed the lead to nine points, the last at 82-91 with four minutes and 15 seconds left in the game, but could not find the needed boost to score the come-from-behind win. That scoring run was highlighted by Tony Rogolifoi’s back-to-back 3-pointers. DCCA first cut the deficit to nine, 82-73, with 7:01 in the fourth quarter.

Mark Wallace’s 26 markers supported Chariton’s game-long exploits, while Joe Tumaquip contributed 22 more for the winners. Gyles Ruluked had 12 points.

The loss wasted Abong Camacho’s season-high 51 points as he barreled his way inside the paint making fun of the Proa defense thrown at him.

Only four DCCA players scored in the game with Romeo Iginoef punching in 19 markers, while Elias Rangamar netted 14. Rogolifoi finished with 11.

First Game

OPA 102 – P. Rasa 27, Diaz 24, S. Rasa 17, Wesley 12, Kapileo 8, Coldeen 6, Camacho 4, Aaron 2, Garon 2.

Tinian 87 – San Nicolas 24, Borja 23, Santos 21, Aquiningoc 10, Reyes 7, Manglona 2.

Scoring by quarters: 30-22, 43-30, 69-63, 102-87.

Referees: Jess Pabula and Dado Vistal.

Second Game

NMC-Proa 105 – Chariton 32, Wallace 26, Tumaquip 22, Ruluked 12, Diaz 5, Villacrusis 5.

DCCA 95 – Camacho 51, Iginoef 19, Rangamar 14, Rogolifoi 11.

Scoring by quarters: 28-15, 51-36, 75-54, 105-95.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Gilbert Espinosa.