Contrasting wins for Kanoa, Fiesta

Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan’s Paul Quizon, center, is double teamed by Shirley’s Coffee Shop’s Isaiah Bordon, left, and Jess Nicdao during the second quarter of their game in the TanHoldings caging last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Last year’s finalists Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan and Kanoa Resort won their debuts in the 2017 Tan Holdings Inter-Company Basketball League in contrasting fashion last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Fiesta, which bowed to the twice-to-beat Kanoa in last season’s finale, eased past Shirley’s Coffee Shop, 75-48, to start its campaign on a positive note. Kanoa, on the other hand, pulled off a come-from-behind 42-40 win over Lower Base.

Troy Ngirarois stood out in his first game in a Fiesta uniform, as the new recruit scored 16 points, muscling his way inside the paint against the much smaller and lankier frontliners of Shirley’s. Four other Fiesta players, who were all part of last year’s runner-up team, hit double figures to whip Shirley’s. Krisgel Arreza tallied 11 markers, while Fradel Sedillo, Arjay Nonato and Paul Quizon chipped in 10 each.

With Fiesta having too many options on offense, the squad did not even need the contribution of its main gunner Elmer Esdrelon, who saw limited minutes in the team’s first game. Ngirarois and company worked together on offense to lift Fiesta to a 33-16 halftime lead. Fiesta was never threatened after that, as only John Jugos stepped up for Shirley’s in his failed bid to keep his team afloat. Jugos finished with a game-high 20 points.

Meanwhile, in the last game in the opening day, Dindo Pablo scored Kanoa’s last 4 points to help his squad escape past Lower Base.

Pablo had a team-high 12 markers, 10 of them were made in the second half, which started with Kanoa behind by 8, 14-22. Pablo and Sonny Encarna then brought the defending champion back into the game and the former completed the come-from-behind victory with his pair of clutch baskets. Encarna matched Pablo’s total output, 8 of them were recorded in the second half.

Ariel Jinang led all scorers with his 16 markers, while Shawn Fujihira chipped in 11.

Second Game
Fiesta 75 — Ngirarois 16, Arreza 11, Sedillo 10, Nonato 10, Quizon 10, Villamena 5, Bernardo 4, Demafelix 2.
Shirley’s 48 — Jugos 20, Bordon 8, Anatacio 7, Alonzo 7, Catungal 4, Palma 2.
Scoring by halves: 33-16, 74-48.

Third Game
Kanoa 42 — Pablo 12, Encarna 12, William 8, Sison 6, Lumauag 2, Bata 2.
Lower Base 40 — Jinang 16, Fujihira 11, Echavez 8 , J. Benavente 3, W. Benavente 2.
Scoring by halves: 14-22, 42-40.