DPS I, PSS post contrasting wins

Pennant champion Public School System and fourth-seed Department of Public Safety I took different routes in advancing deeper into the 2004 Government Basketball League playoffs.

On Saturday, DPS I fouled out their opponents’ key men in the pivotal fourth quarter and then watched as the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs misfired on make-or-break threes in the closing seconds to win, 79-76, at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

It was a tight contest all throughout with DCCA nudging DPS I after the first quarter, 16-15, behind the eight points of playmaker Elias Rangamar.

DPS I buckled down to work in the second quarter and built a nice comfortable lead, due mainly on a renewed commitment to defense and a bunch of fastbreak baskets by pint-sized Joe Ito.

DCCA wasn’t done by a long shot, as the Mutt-and-Jeff combo of Ben Pelisamen and Romeo Iginoef didn’t let the team out of DPS I’s rearview mirror, down by just a nickel, 34-39, at the half.

DPS I put some distance between them and DCCA in the early goings of the third. A three by Ito gave them a nine-point lead with 6:40 left in the quarter. Moments later the team enjoyed its biggest spread of the ballgame, 50-38, when league-leading scorer Elias Saralu connected from downtown.

But Rangamar was not about to give up the ghost and engineered a 14-5 run to bridge the gap at 55-52 with 2:02 left in the third. Luckily for DPS I, their own Elias again rose to the occasion, hitting key shots to lead a 6-2 run to close the quarter that saw the law enforcers ahead 61-54.

The start of the payoff period followed a familiar trend with DPS I bolting out to a hefty lead only for DCCA to catch up and make things interesting.

DPS I center Joe Taitano scored on two buckets inside to give them a 65-56 spread a minute into the fourth and final quarter.

DCCA would again rally back and inch within three points, 64-67, on an old-fashioned 3-point play by Rangamar with 6:35 to go in the ballgame.

The team continued to hang on the coattails of DPS I in the next few minutes until a triple by Joey Dela Cruz forged a 74-all tied with time down to 3:23.

In the next play, however, DCCA received a big blow when Iginoef fouled out trying to defend against Saralu, who uncharacteristically muffed both shots as DCCA was in the penalty.

Rangamar then gave DCCA its first lead since the opening quarter, when he cashed in on one of two attempts from the charity stripe for a razor-thin 75-74 lead at the 2:31 mark of the game.

He, however, fell victim to his own over-eagerness when he was forced to join Iginoef on the bench on account of five personals after fouling Jared Manglona, who also came away with empty from the line.

The score remained the same in the next minute or so before Saralu redeemed himself from the stripe, giving DPS I back the driver’s seat, 76-75.

After DCCA relief center Herman Tudela tied the count at 76-all on a made free throw, Jeff Quitugua made good his charities for a 78-76 DPS I lead with 27.9 left in the game clock.

DCCA then failed on its next offensive set when Ben Pelisamen was stripped of the ball that led to another made free throw by Roy Kaipat for a 3-point DPS I lead.

DCCA still had 12 seconds to hoist up a three and force extension but Dela Cruz missed on two attempts from beyond the arc, allowing DPS I to escape with the victory.

On Friday, PSS badly mauled Saipan Mayor’s Office, 94-65, to advance to the second round of the government basketball league.

The scheduled second game between Tinian and Procurement & Supply was rescheduled for tonight after the latter advised organizers they wouldn’t be able to make it because of high surf. Saturday’s game between PSS and DPS II was also postponed to Monday.

Tonight’s doubleheader would see PSS taking on DPS II in the 6:30pm opener and Tinian squaring off against P&S in the 8pm nightcap.

Friday’s Game

PSS 94 – Van Buren 28, F. Mendiola 16, Lashley 14, Gross 11, Villagomez 11, Blechner 7, White 7.

Saipan Mayor’s Office 65 – Benavente 32, Mizutani 15, Taisacan 8, Demapan 4, Cruz 4, Borja 2, Tudela 1.

Scoring by quarters: 25-9, 50-28, 68-47, 94-65.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.

Saturday’s Game

DPS I 79 – Saralu 20, Ito 16, Kaipat 12, Taitano 10, Celes 8, Quitugua 7, Joab 4, Manglona 2.

DCCA 76 – Rangamar 24, Pelisamen 19, Iginoef 17, Dela Cruz 8, Sablan 5, Reyes 2, Tudela 1.

Scoring by quarters: 15-16, 39-34, 61-54, 79-76.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.