Previous Story
Nationals edge Ol’Aces
|
Posted on Feb 03 2009
The CNMI Nationals played their first game as a team and survived the Ol’Aces, 98-95, in the 2009 BANMI/Budweiser Basketball League Friday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
The Nationals, who are playing in the Budweiser caging in preparation for the 2009 Oceania Basketball Tournament, found a new gunner in Pete Iguel, who tallied 29 points in their three-point win.
Although Iguel top-scored for the Nationals, it was still stalwarts Jericho Cruz and Marvin Rabauliman, who delivered the crucial baskets in the stretch allowing the team to escape with a victory.
Cruz and Rabauliman were part of last year’s CNMI Junior National Team and continued to train under Rufino Aguon’s watch along with several players from the same team. Iguel was among the few ones joining the training sessions for the Nationals.
Cruz fired five of the Nationals’ last nine points, while Rabauliman made three. One free throw each from Rabauliman, Cruz, and Jayvan Tarkong bailed the Nationals out of trouble.
Cruz finished with 25 points, while Rabauliman chipped in 20. Tarkong had 14.
The Nationals led by as much as 11 points in the fourth quarter, 87-76, capitalizing on their advantage in speed against the veteran players of the Ol’Aces.
But the Ol’Aces threatened in the final half of the fourth period behind the outside sniping of Elias Rangamar, before the Nationals preserved the win from the foul line.
Freddie Pelisamen led all scorers with 43 points, but it was not enough to give the Ol’Aces a 2-0 start. The Ol’Aces won their debut against Docomo Hoopaholics, 81-76.
[B]
CNMI Nationals 98[/B] – Iguel 29, Cruz 25, Rabauliman 20, Tarkong 14, Tumaquip 5, Johnson 2, Moses 2, White 1.
[B]
Ol’Aces 95[/B] – Pelisamen 43, Rangamar 18, Lizama 12, White 7, Buren 6, Renguul 5, Iginoef 4.
