Govt cage league playoffs start

The final standings of the first round of the 2004 Government Basketball League are in and organizers have scrambled to arrange the playoff schedule.

Tonight’s start of the second round of the cage league for the Commonwealth’s civil servants begins with the tip-off between Department of Labor (8-3) and Commonwealth Ports Authority (4-7).

After dominating the early weeks of the league, Labor slid all the way to the fifth spot, following what seemed like a second half collapse, and will tackle eighth-seed CPA at 6:30pm.

DOL will count on power-playing Steve Rasa, the team’s leading scorer, wily center Tim Wesley, and playmaker Mitch Aaron. CPA, meanwhile, will be bannered by human pogo stick Jawn Joyner, scoring machine Edgar Pangelinan, and steady wingman Jerome Reyes.

The second game, scheduled at 8pm, then pits defending champion and sixth-seed Northern Marianas College (6-5) against the No. 7 team after the opening round, Department of Public Safety II (5-6).

Once again NMC will try to negate its lack of ceiling with a run-and-gun attack and good outside shooting. One-man fastbreak Tony Diaz, sweet-shooting Jester Garcia, and defensive specialist Jerry Diaz are the players to watch for the 2003 titlists.

They will have to contend with a vastly improved DPS II team buoyed by the arrival of do-everything forward Ed Diaz. The addition of Diaz has given the lawmakers an added weapon to complement the playmaking brilliance of Jerry Ayuyu and the inside dominance of Ned Norita.

On Wednesday, the playoff road show continues with Department of Community and Cultural Affairs (8-3), the third seed, squaring off against Office of Public Auditor (4-7), which won its last three games to move into the 10th spot, in the 6:30pm opener.

The second game at 8pm then pits fourth-seed DPS I (8-3) against ninth-seed Commonwealth Health Center (4-7).

The first round of the playoffs concludes on Friday with pennant winner Public School System (10-1) taking on Saipan Mayor’s Office (0-11) in the season’s biggest mismatch at 6:30pm.

The second game also appears to be unequal, when a rampaging Tinian team (8-3), winner of seven of its last eight games including the final two at home, play an underachieving Procurement & Supply (3-8) squad starting at 8pm.

For more information about the 2004 Government Basketball League, call the Division of Sports and Recreation at 664-2503 or 664-2508.