CPA scores upset, Dai-Ichi wins

Commonwealth Ports Authority leaned on Dave Sablan’s late-game heroics to edge Aqua Resort Club, while Ariel Jinang’s fourth-quarter eruption helped Dai-ichi Hotel Saipan Beach repulse Hyatt Regency Saipan in the 2005 Mobil Oil Marianas Co-ed Invitational Basketball League Thursday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Buckling down in defense in the dying moments of the payoff period and a crucial 3-point play by Sablan powered CPA to an 84-80 victory over 2004 champion Aqua Resort Club in the second game.

Both teams were engaged in a battle of spurts with CPA taking control of the first quarter 21-16 and Aqua Resort returning the favor with a 40-33 advantage at the break.

After CPA took a two-point lead, 56-54, after the third, it became a nip-and-tuck affair in the final 10 minutes with both teams exchanging baskets until Sablan’s timely trifecta allowed CPA to escape with the win.

Sablan led CPA’s charge with 37 points. He was supported by the 21 of center Jawn Joyner and the 18 of sharpshooter Jerome Reyes.

Towering slotman Dalewin Cortez fired 31 markers for Aqua Resort, while J.E. Torres and last year’s regular season MVP Bogs Dayrit added 15 and 12 points in the loss.

In the first game, Jinang scored 17 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to lead Dai-Ichi to a 91-79 triumph over Hyatt.

With ambidextrous cage belle Noe Okohira dominating the game, Dai-Ichi forged ahead 20-15 after the opening quarter.

But Hyatt made hay while Okohira sat on the bench in the second to take a 43-34 lead at lemon time.

With Okohira back on the floor again, Dai-Ichi made another push and inched within 58-59 of Hyatt’s lead going into the fourth and final quarter.

Shortly after that the 5’8” Jinang took his cue and with timely assists and screens from teammates, bombed away from 3-point land, drove for layups, and hit mid-range jumpers to help Dai-Ichi take control of the ballgame.

Okohira scored 23 points in just two quarters of play, while versatile Elmer Esdrelon chipped in 18 points for Dai-Ichi.

Hyatt sparkplug Edd Arriola took game-high honors with 29 points, while Mike Umali and Shane Villanueva contributed 15 and 11 points in the loss.

First Game

Dai-Ichi 91 – Jinang 26, Okohira 23, Esdrelon 18, Alegre 8, Galag 6, Alipala 4, Tobias 4, Cho 2.

Hyatt 79 – Arriola 29, Umali 15, Villanueva 11, Itaas 10, Calub 8, Gabaldon 6.

Scoring by quarters: 20-15, 34-43, 58-59, 91-79.

Referees: Abner Venus and Ray Lizama.

Second Game

CPA 84 – D. Sablan 37, Joyner 21, Reyes 18, Guerrero 4, Sablan 2, Muna 2.

ARC 80 – Cortez 31, Torres 15, Dayrit 12, Johannes 8, Arellano 4, Tonette 4, Flores 4, Jones 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-16, 33-40, 56-54, 84-80.