CHCC extinguishes DFEMS, 72-66

CHCC extinguished DFEMS, 72-66, in the 2nd Annual R&J Wine and Liquor Inter-Gov’t/Business League 2024 last Monday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

From the beginning, CHCC’s staff had a chokehold on the firefighters as they clashed in a battle between NMI’s frontliners. CHCC established a slight upper hand, using their more strategic play and better ball-to-basket skills to maintain a sizable lead throughout.

CHCC’s John Sablan, Mike Ito, and James Phillips led the charge—their chemistry evident as they executed plays that kept DFEMS from igniting an offensive fire of their own. While CHCC played as a unit, DFEMS’ Mario Junior Aguon was a one-man army.

He opened the game up with six consecutive points, then another seven consecutive shots in the first quarter. Only Hiram Castro disrupted his streak as they ended the quarter down by 10, 13-23.

The second quarter saw more contributions from more DFEMS players—all the while, Aguon kept his hot streak going. On the contrary, CHCC hit a wall and the gap that they built between them and DFEMS shrunk significantly as the quarter went on.

At the end of the first half, CHCC only had a seven-point cushion, 37-30.

Then, CHCC resuscitated more air and life into their lungs as they revived their control and dominance over the smoke eaters in the third quarter. They left DFEMS gasping for air in an intense battle for the upper hand and as the smoke cleared, CHCC’s lead ballooned back up into the double digits, 59-42.

Aguon fought a losing battle as he continued to carry his team on his back in the final quarter. He took them from a 17-point deficit to under 10 once again. He was helped by an opening 3-pointer by Giovanni Mira, then Aguon went on another rampage and scored 14 points with two from downtown.

However, CHCC’s tactics paid off and they were rewarded with charity shots towards the end of the game. They made their crucial free throws and despite Aguon’s efforts, CHCC pulled off DFEMS’ life support, 72-66.

In the end, Sablan scored 14, Ito put up 13, and Phillips contributed 11. Aguon tore up the court with a game-high 42 points.

In the other game last Monday, IT&E disconnected E-Land, 92-75. Last Tuesday, Coca Cola slipped past Docomo, 87-84, and PSS schooled CHCC, 100-50.

CHCC 72 – Sablan 14, Ito 13, Phillips 11, Sandig 10, Lizama 9, Omampo 6, Tudela 5, Saures 2, Bigalbal 1, Leomo 1.

DFEMS 66 – Aguon 42, Mira 10, Castro 6, Quitugua 3, Pangelinan 3, Taisakan 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-13, 37-30, 59-42, 72-66.