NMC dethroned, Labors wins

Northern Marianas College will not repeat as champions of the 2004 Government Basketball League.

The Proas’ campaign to defend their 2003 title came to an abrupt end Monday evening when the Department of Public Safety II eliminated them from the playoffs with a 102-95 victory in the second game of the doubleheader at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Down by as much as 10 points in the fourth quarter, NMC came charging back and last threatened at 86-90 with time down to 2:13, on a triple by Jester Garcia and a 3-point play by Tony Diaz.

But DPS II slammed the door shut on NMC on consecutive layups by forwards Carl Hocog and Ed Manalili.

A nifty lay in by Ed Diaz, following a steal on NMC’s backcourt, would reestablish a 96-86 lead for DPS II, and for all intents and purpose, sealed the win with 1:29 left in the ballgame.

NMC entered the game as the No. 6 seed, but it didn’t seem that way throughout the course of ballgame as DPS II, the seventh seed, led from wire to wire. They took the first quarter, 23-18; the second, 48-36; and the third, 67-62.

DPS II especially got into a roll against a tiring NMC team, which suited up only seven players two of whom—Garcia and Tony Satur—were coming off games in the fast pitch league.

With NMC players dragging their feet, their opponents established as much as a 12-point lead, when a deuce by Norita made it 85-73 with a little over five minutes left in the contest.

Jerry Ayuyu brilliantly quarterbacked his team and paced DPS II with 32 points. Diaz wound up with 25, while Norita and Hocog added 21 and 14, respectively.

Tony Diaz fired 41 points in the loss, while Garcia and defensive specialist Jerry Diaz pumped in 25 and 11.

In the first game, Department of Labor exploited the absence of human pogo stick Jawn Joyner to rout Commonwealth Ports Authority to the tune of 101-67.

With their leading rebounder and shot-blocker out, CPA was powerless to stop the bruising frontline duo of Tim Wesley and Steve Rasa, who combined for 56 points to lead DOL.

Edgar Pangelinan played like the Lone Ranger for CPA, scoring 31 points in the loss. No other CPA player finished in double figures.

The government league resumes tonight with Department of Community and Cultural Affairs taking on Office of Public Auditor in the 6:30pm first game and DPS I facing Commonwealth Health Center in the 8pm second game.

First Game

DOL 101 – Wesley 29, Rasa 27, Poquiz 13, Ayuyu 8, Sablan 8, Aaron 7, Roberto 5, Tudela 4.

CPA 67 – Pangilinan 31, Muna 7, Tagabuel 7, Salas 6, Elisar 5, Sablan 4.

Scoring by quarters: 21-19, 44-38, 74-50, 101-74.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game

DPS II 102 – Ayuyu 32, Diaz 25, Norita 21, Hocog 14, Manalili 10.

NMC 95 – T. Diaz 41, Garcia 25, J. Diaz 11, John 7, MacDuff 4, Castro 4.

Scoring by quarters: 23-18, 48-36, 67-62, 102-95.

Referees: Mike White and Dado Vistal.