Legislature breaks into win column

After two loses to open the season, Legislature finally hit paydirt Thursday ambushing a listless Department of Public Works team, 65-60, Thursday evening in the resumption of the 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League.

The lawmakers and DPW were locked up in a tight one early with the latter taking a 1-point lead, 11-10, after a low-scoring first quarter.

The “defensive” contest carried over into the second quarter with Legislature managing to add 16 more points to its corner, while limiting DPW to just a dozen, which allowed them to take a 27-22 spread at the break.

The lawmakers got a lot more production from their shooters, as they nearly doubled their measly first quarter output by pouring in 21 markers in the third.

DPW also had an unexpected scoring spree in the canto, bringing the house down with 16 points but nonetheless still trailed by 10 points, 48-38, heading into the fourth and final quarter of the ballgame.

Legislature, however, still didn’t have the win in the bag, as DPW waited until the final minutes of the match to challenge the lawmakers, only to fall short by five points at the end.

Sam Frank led Legislature with 20 points, while Ray Duenas and Dexter Mendiola added 17 and 10 markers, respectively.

DPW, which went down to its third defeat in as many games, was paced by the 21 of John Guerrero. Frank Cabrera and Eric Atalig also chipped in 16 and 13 in the loss.

Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, meanwhile, drew level with league-leading Department of Labor after pummeling Procurement and Supply, 102-92, in the nightcap.

DCCA took a while to heat up and was either tied or led by just a few points in the game’s first three quarters.

But when it mattered the most, veterans Rom Iginoef, Elias Rangamar, Mario Sablan, and Joey Dela Cruz brought their A-game to make the final score beyond doubt.

Iginoef led all scorers for the 3-0 team with 30 points, while Rangamar, Sablan, and Dela Cruz all wound up in double figures.

The loss dropped P&S to 0-3. The team was led by ex-CPA Flyers Edgar Pangelinan and Mike Muna, who finished with 29 and 14 markers, respectively.

First Game

Legislature 65 – Frank 20, Duenas 17, Mendiola 10, Olaitaman 8, Cabrera 6, Besoma 3.

DPW 60 – Guerrero 21, Cabrera 16, Atalig 13, Mafnas 5, Torres 4, Norita 1.

Scoring by quarters: 11-10, 27-22, 48-38, 65-60.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Eric Artillaga.

Second Game

DCCA 102 – Iginoef 30, Rangamar 24, Sablan 14, Dela Cruz 10, Taisacan 9, Pangelinan 8, Benavente 4, Tenorio 3.

P&S 92 – E. Pangelinan 29, Muna 14, Guerrero 13, Takai 10, Castro 5, Borja 4, B. Pangelinan 3.

Scoring by quarters: 28-24, 47-47, 69-63, 102-92.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Gilbert Espinosa.