MBI forces do-or-die game

Diamond Fixers had leading scorer Francis Rebuyon already lost for the finals but then proceeded to lose their heads and their cool in Game 1 of the finals against Micronesian Brokers, Inc. Thursday night in the Saipan Ice & Water Co., Inc. 20th Anniversary Basketball League at the CMS Court.

The pennant champions spent more time arguing with referees and table officials than actually battling MBI and went on to drop their first game of the season, 79-74, which forced the championship into a do-or-die second game set for tonight.

Diamond Fixers actually started the game on the right foot and led by as much as a dozen points in the opening quarter before settling for a 22-14 lead.

MBI seemed more like a deer caught in the headlights and had trouble setting their offense due in large part to their opponents’ physical defense.

MBI players, however, settled down in the second quarter with veteran point guard Rene Pe taking over from natural swingman Jeff Garcia.

With Pe finding Garcia and center Elbyn Cecilia through the seams of Diamond Fixers’ defense and actively looking for his shot, MBI was able to fashion a 25-13 turnaround in the second quarter and took a 39-35 spread at the break.

Already shorthanded with the absence of Rebuyon, who went home for a vacation in the Philippines, Diamond Fixers further hurt their cause by piling up fouls, which put a handful of their big men in danger of fouling out.

MBI continued to dominate the game in the third quarter, spreading the offense with six different players contributing and at one point extended their lead to 16 points.

In contrast, Diamond Fixers groped for form and almost exclusively resorted to one-on-one plays that complemented a porous defense, while all the while blaming their fortunes on referees calling the ballgame.

As result MBI headed into the fourth and final quarter on top 66-54 and Diamond Fixers big men one or two fouls away from hitting the showers.

Diamond Fixers finally showed some signs of life in the payoff period, as their man-to-man defense was finally paying dividends.

Led by hard-working guard Kevin Aldan, the team went on 12-2 run to start the fourth and was still in contention until forward William Opone broke the momentum after being slapped his second technical foul.

Although they were able to come within 75-72 of MBI’s lead on a Pasky Peleno stretch layup with 1:39 left, Diamond Fixers lost steam at the end as Cecilia and Pe hit crucial free throws that preserved the five-point win.

Cecilia led all scorers with 29 points, while Garcia, Pe, and Ronnie Palero added 12 points or more for MBI. Aldan was brilliant in defeat totaling 28 points but didn’t get much support outside of Peleno and Opone, who finished with 13 and 12 markers, respectively.

Opone remains doubtful for the game, as the talented but temperamental cager lingered around after the game and confronted referee Archie Rosario, which may or may not result on a one-game suspension.

In the battle for third, host Saipan Ice won third place with an 84-80 win in the first game. Game 2 between Diamond Fixers and MBI will be played beginning at 7pm tonight.

First Game

Saipan Ice 84 – Samson 21, Sublemente 19, Dela Torre 18, Mariano 11, Carreon 5, Balarao 4, Abadilla 2, Lopez 2, Sabilla 2.

Marianas Water 80 – Lerio 32, Apelo 23, Cabanas 17, Reyes 4, Villanueva 4.

Scoring by quarters: 17-15, 38-34, 60-59, 84-80.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Richard Pambid.

Second Game

MBI 79 – Cecilia 29, Garcia 17, Pe 14, Palero 12, Penalosa 5, Gayo 2.

Diamond Fixers 74 – Aldan 28, Peleno 13, Opone 12, Mallari 7, Garcia 6, Hernandez 4, Yanto 2, Gabriel 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-22, 39-35, 66-54, 79-74.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Richard Pambid/Archie Rosario.