CUC disconnects DPS-Fire

By SHAN SEMAN

Staff Reporter

Commonwealth Utilities Corporation got off to a good start in the 2002 Inter-Government Basketball League as they defeated DPS-Fire, 70-59, last Saturday at the Garapan Basketball Court.

The game was tight for most parts of the game as neither team managed to build a big lead.

In the first quarter, DPS-Fire’s Joe Taitano found his stroke and kept his team close as he scored 8 points to give CUC a slim 18-17 lead.

The second quarter was pretty much the same as both teams answered each other’s baskets with the electric distributors nursing a 35-34 margin at the break.

Anthony Manibusan stepped up for CUC in the third quarter and scored 7 points as his team headed into the final quarter with a 3-point cushion, 49-46.

With the momentum on their side, CUC blew the game wide open holding their opponents to a measly13 points in the fourth and final quarter.

Offensively, CUC lit up the scoreboard for 21 points in the last 10 minutes of the game to win it by11 points.

Joe Camacho led CUC with 18 points, while teammate Jess Castro finished with 17 points.

Kevin Guerrero led DPS-Fire with a game-high 19 points, while Taitano contributed with 13 of his own.

In the nightcap, a tough Tinian squad played with a lot of intensity en route to an 88-55 beating of Procurement and Supply.

Tinian had the game won right from the opening tip-off as they combined to torch the net for 28 points, while holding P&S to just 5 baskets. John Santos quickly took control offensively as he scored 11 points in the quarter, 6 of them from beyond the arc.

P&S couldn’t recover and Tinian went on to score a whopping 30 points in the third.

Frank Santos, who was scoreless in the first half, caught fire scoring 12 of his 16 points in the quarter as Tinian headed into the final canto with a commanding 73-36 lead.

John Santos led Tinian with a game-high 22 points. Teammates Jesse Manibusan and Leo Pascua both had solid outings as they scored 13 points each.

John Salas was the only consistent scorer for P&S finishing with 20 points.

Last Thursday, DOLI and CHC managed to post victories against their opponents. DOLI defeated DEQ, while CHC edge out NMC in comeback fashion.

First Game

CUC 70 – Camacho 18, Castro 17, Manibusan 13, Poquiz 12, Reyes 10.

DPS Fire 59 – Guerrero 19, Taitano 13, Tudela 11, Limes 6, Norita 4, Camacho 3, Ngiraked 3.

Second Game

Tinian 88 – J..Santos 22, F.Santos 16, Pascua 13, Manibusan 13, King 9, Hocog 7, R.Santos 5, Reyes 2

P&S 55 – Salas 20, Cruz 8, Guerrero 8, Tudela 7, Camacho 6, Sablan 2, Santos 2, Torres 2.