IT&E eases past Caravan’s

IT&E’s Paolo Rafols, center, drives against Caravan’s Alex Standish, left, and Prince Factor during the fourth quarter of their game in the Atkins Kroll Marianas International Basketball League last Friday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

IT&E made it two in a row after cruising past Caravan’s, 77-52, as action in the Atkins Kroll Marianas International Basketball League resumed last Friday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

With the 2-0 record, IT&E joined The Game and Saipan Vegas in the early lead in the 10-team league, which took a break for a little over a week due to the unavailability of the MHS Gym. Caravan’s dropped to a 1-1 mark and is in the middle of the team standings.

Caravan’s was very much in the game after the first half, as it clawed its way back from a double-digit deficit, 13-25, after forcing a deadlock, 33-all, before losing its luster in the second, allowing IT&E to earn a 25-point winning margin.

Ken Viray, Prince Factor, Reymark Castro, and Josh Andrew combined for 18 of Caravan’s 20 points in the second quarter to stay in contention. However, the foursome was held to 6 points in the third with Castro going scoreless, while IT&E pulled away.

Young guns Jaymark Castro and Jack Aranda teamed up with veterans Elmer Esdrelon and Junar Guiab in handing IT&E back a double-digit spread after the third period, 58-42. The four players totaled for 17 points, nearly doubling the output of Caravan’s, which was limited to two field goals in the penultimate canto.

Caravan’s never regained its form after the third period meltdown, while IT&E had cruise control and even had a luxury of melting down the clock and fielding its second and third stringers to finish the game.

De Guzman top-scored for IT&E with his 15 points, while eight of his teammates added at least 6 points apiece for the squad’s balance offense.

Factor had 16 for Caravan’s, while Viray chipped in 11, but was held to 2 points in the entire second half and had limited minutes in the fourth period.

The Game 70, MS Villagomez 67
The Game matched IT&E’s 2-0 record after outclassing MS Villagomez in the first game last Saturday.

June Fidelino fired 13 of his 20 markers in the fourth period to lift The Game to the 3-point victory. Jun Javier also stepped up for The Game in the final canto after contributing 6 points.

The fourth period started with The Game clinging to a 47-46 lead, and the team hung on in the end, as MS Villagomez failed to neutralize Fidelino and Javier also delivered key baskets. Mark Mintac scored the 2 other points for The Game in the fourth frame.

Friday Game
IT&E 77—De Guzman 15, Peredo 10, Esdrelon 8, Flores 8, Aranda 7, Rabasto 6, Barbo 6, Devero 6, Guiab 6, De Dios 3, Rafols 2.
Caravan’s 52—Factor 16, Viray 11, Andrew 9, Standish 6, Castro 4, Quan 2, Sablan 2, Villarin 2.
Scoring by quarters: 25-13, 33-33, 58-42, 77-52

Saturday Game
The Game 70—Fidelino 20, Mintac 20, Javier 10, Abejo 4, Del Rosario 4, Johnson 4, Santos 3, Castro 3,Parulan 2.
MS Villagomez 67—Dela Cruz 17, Richardson 15, King 13, Aughenbaugh 7, Kwon 6, Manibusan 6, Pangelinan 3, Babauta 2.
Scoring by quarters: 16-13, 32-28, 47-42, 70-67