Previous Story
PIC routs Imperial Pacific
Pacific Islands Club Saipan’s Paulo Rafols goes up for a shot against Imperial Pacific’s Henry Cruzada during the first quarter of their game in the Emon Lodge/IT&E caging last Sunday at the Koblerville Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Pacific Islands Club Saipan got off to a strong start after dominating Imperial Pacific, 67-51, in the second game in the 2018 Emon Lodge No. 179 Brotherhood/IT&E Basketball League last Sunday at the Koblerville Gymnasium.
PIC Saipan jumped to a 9-1 lead in the first half of the opening quarter and never looked back to join Armatech on the win column of the 10-team field. Paulo Rafols scored 4 points in PIC Saipan’s early run, including the squad’s first basket, while shooter James Abuy also knocked down his first 3-point attempt, and Raymark Castro hit a long jumper in that rally. Henry Cruzada handed Imperial Pacific its first point after making his second free throw.
Imperial Pacific went on to nail only three field goals in the opening quarter, allowing PIC Saipan to take a 15-7 advantage after 10 minutes of play.
PIC Saipan then padded its lead in the second canto, as Sean Rabasto started suiting up for the San Antonio-based team. Rabasto recorded 6 points in the second period, which ended with PIC Saipan ahead by double figures, 30-17.
Rabasto and company managed to keep PIC Saipan’s comfortable margin in the second half en route to the 16-point winning margin. Abuy drilled three more triples, while Castro made a couple more shots, and PIC Saipan’s second stringers finished off Imperial Pacific.
Abuy top-scored for PIC Saipan with his 17 points, while Rabasto and Castro chipped in 13 and 10, respectively. Rafols added 9 and six other PIC Saipan players made it to the board for the squad’s balance scoring.
In contrast, Cruzada carried the load for Imperial Pacific, as he fired a game-high 20 markers. Raymund Mabunga and Jone Bornales contributed 8 points each.
Second Game
PIC Saipan 67— Abuy 17, Rabasto 13, Castro 10, Rafols 9, Sublemente 4, Bartolo 3, Tolentino 3, Hernandez 3, Ricafort 3, Mojar 2.
Imperial Pacific 51 — Cruzada 20, Bornales 8, Mabunga 8, Ophimar 6, Cabigan 4, Densing 2, Asia 2, Baltazar 1.
Scoring by quarters: 15-7, 30-17, 44-30, 67-51.
