Proa heads to finals, Verizon stays alive

The Heinz and Dave Proa kept their hot streak going, advancing to the finals of the 2005 Masters Basketball League, while Verizon stepped up in the second half to keep their titles hopes alive Saturday night at the Northern Marianas College Gymnasium.

After a slow start, Proa erupted for 34 points in the second period and saw their five-point lead balloon to 15 points by halftime. Gilbert Espinosa and Rick Alegre worked for 10 points apiece while outside sniper Rufino Aguon connected on two triples—his third and fourth of the game—to lead the charge, which resulted in a 54-39 advantage at the break.

The Pepsi duo of Juan Diaz and Warren Villegas tried to keep their team from falling too far behind and shouldered their offensive push in the third with nine and seven points. The two had much help and Pepsi was able to put a small dent on the deficit to head into the payoff period in striking distance, 67-79.

Proa, however, was hungry for the title game slot and showed it with a fury as the team exploded in the final 10 minutes to steam away. The squad put up a well-balanced attack, with none of its cagers scoring more than eight points to light the scoreboard for 39 markers, while holding Pepsi to 20 points to close with the 30-point victory margin.

Espinosa and Alegre led Proa with 32 and 31 points, while Aguon, Tom Diaz, and Robert “Onyok” Tamondong also finished in double figures.

Juan Diaz had another hot night and led his team with 32 points, while Villegas and Bruce Berline added 26 and 13 for Pepsi, which dropped to the losers’ bracket.

Pepsi will battle Verizon for the right to face Proa in the title game after Verizon dethroned defending champion Old Aces, 94-73.

The game was tightly fought in the first three quarters, with Verizon holding just a 22-17 lead after the first period and a 42-38 advantage at halftime.

The Old Aces inched closer in the third and finally pulled even at 50-50 on a jumper by Tony Luzama, but Verizon was quick to retaliate and went on an 8-0 run to pull ahead again.

Verizon held the lead and dominated the fourth quarter to eliminate Old Aces.

Ed Cosino and Nomar Gamboa led Verizon with 20 points apiece, while Frank Iglecias and Art Salazar supported them with 15 and 13 points.

Elias Rangamar and Junior Renguul paced the Old Aces with 23 and 18 points, while Colin Thompson, Luzama, and Steve Coleman finished in double figures.

First Game

Proa 117—Espinosa 32, Alegre 31, Aguon 15, Diaz 13, Tamondong 10, Lizo 4, MacDuff 2, Ierome 2, Tarkong 2.

Pepsi 87—Diaz 32, Villegas 26, Berline 13, Yamada 6, Nepaial 4, Weaver 4, Cepeda 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-15, 54-39, 79-67, 117-87.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Jess Pabula.

Second Game

Verizon 94—Cosino 20, Gamboa 20, Iglecias 15, Salazar 13, Pineda 11, Bicera 9, Babauta 6.

Old Aces 73—Rangamar 23, Renguul 18, Thompson 12, Coleman 10, Luzama 10.

Scoring by quarters: 22-17, 42-38, 65-57, 94-73.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Jess Pacheco.