Pepsi, Verizon impressive in MBL playoffs

Pepsi and Verizon used impressive runs in the second half to turned back their opponents the playoffs of the 2005 Masters Basketball League intensified Friday night at the Northern Marianas College.

After receiving strong resistance from the Chalan Kanoa Legends in their 45-and-over game, Pepsi controlled the second half, widened their lead, and left with an 81-66 victory.

The Legends put up a good fight and found themselves all evened up with Pepsi after the first period, 16-16.

Guards Joe Pangelinan and Mike Muna followed up with six points apiece in the second quarter, propelling the team to a slim 36-34 advantage at the break, but the tables were quickly turned in the following stanzas as Verizon dominated the boards and used their quick transition to swing favor to their corner.

Playing in their second game of the evening, Nomar Gamboa and Danny Bicera turned back the hands of time as the two carried the offensive load and combined for 15 points.

While the two were finding the bottom of the net with their shots to put Pepsi ahead, June Miday was busy pouring in jumpers that kept the Legends within striking distance as the team trailed by eight points heading into the final 10 minutes of play, 52-60.

It was all Pepsi from there as the Legends went cold from the field and managed to put up just 14 points in the payoff period to let the game slip away.

Pepsi went up by as much as 18 points, 72-54, and held on for a strong finish.

Gamboa finished with a game-high 20 points, while Bicera and center Manny Sitchon contributed 16 and 12 points, respectively. Allan Lebria and Scott Norman also finished in double figures with 11 and 10 points.

Miday led the Legends with 17 points, while Joe Pangelinan punched in 15 points. Jerry “Mutumbo” Lopez, George Villasan, and Muna each chipped in 10 points.

Earlier, Gamboa, Bicera, and Sablan helped lift Verizon to a 108-98 victory over Natibu in the 35-and-over action.

Verizon trailed in the early goings, but recovered and was able to head into halftime with a 51-44 cushion.

The team then kicked their game up several notches and outscored Natibu, 36-26, at the start of the second half to bust the game wide open.

Their comfort zone was short lived as Natibu put up a desperate charge in the dying minutes to put a dent on the deficit, but their efforts came up a little short as Verizon still kept a firm grip on their lead.

Gary Cabrera scored a team-high 25 points, while Bicera and Ed Cosino finished with 21 and 15 points for Verizon. Felix Palacios and Gamboa also supported them with 14 and 12 points.

Natibu’s George Masga had the hot hand and led all scorers with 32 points, while brother Oscar Masga and Ray Palacios drilled in 21 and 20 markers. John Palacios also had 18 points.

First Game

Verizon 108—Cabrera 25, Bicera 21, Cosino 15, Palacios 14, Gamboa 12, Salazar 9, E. Pineda 6, Sablan 6.

Natibu 98—G. Masga 32, O. Masga 21, R. Palacios 20, Jo. Palacios 28, Takai 4, D. Masga 4.

Scoring by quarters: 19-24, 51-44, 87-70, 108-98.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game

Pepsi 81—Gamboa 20, Bicera 16, Sitchon 12, Lebria 11, Norman 10, Sablan 8, Saiki 2, Tabei 2.

Legends 66—Miday 17, Pangelinan 15, Lopez 10, Villasan 10, Muna 10, Takai 2, Garcia 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-16, 34-36, 60-52, 81-66.

Referees: Rick Alegre and Gilbert Espinosa.