DOL, ARFF survive nail-biters

Department of Labor and Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting both had their work cut out for them but still survived nail-biters Monday night in the ongoing 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the opener, Mitch Aaron nailed a clutch 3-pointer and DOL regained advantage and held on to beat the Public School System, 68-66.

DOL led after the first three periods and had just enough juice, plus some magic from Aaron, to return to the top of the team standings as the team is now tied with the Department of Public Safety Enforcers for first place with 7-2 win-loss records.

After doubling up on PSS in the opening quarter, 16-8, DOL was giving a run for their money as PSS clawed back with a stronger second quarter push to cut their deficit to just two points, 35-37, at the break. Gary Lashley led the PSS attack with 10 points, while Taj Van Buren added seven, as the team was able to explode for 27 points.

Rasa brothers Ponce and Steve each had eight points in the second to keep DOL ahead.

The physical game resulted in a low-scoring affair as both teams were hustling on every play. DOL, however, was able to pad their lead, outscoring PSS, 17-13, to head into the final period ahead by six points, 54-48.

PSS remained determined and fought back, eventually pulling even at 60-60 mid-way through the period after Van Buren connected on consecutive shots.

DOL forward Tim Wesley was able to work his way in the paint and hit two free throws and Charlie Peters followed with a perimeter jumper, giving DOL a four-point cushion, but it was quickly erased as Peter Mendiola made good on a fastbreak layup and Nick Gross converted two free throws for another tie, 64-64.

After several miscues by both teams, PSS was able to get the lead with 44 seconds left on the clock as Lashley’s jumper found a bottom of the net, 66-64.

Aaron then made a free throw for DOL, and after a missed opportunity by PSS, DOL worked the ball back to Aaron, who faked a pass, then faked a shot before launching the go-ahead triple with just 23.4 seconds remaining for the final score.

PSS had a couple of opportunities to score, however, they were not able to as the DOL cagers played tough defense to close the game.

Ponce Rasa and Aaron led DOL with 16 and 15 points, while Steve Rasa and Wesley added 14 and 12 points.

Lashley finished with a game-high 18 points for PSS, while Van Buren and Mendiola supported with 15 and 13 points.

Later in the evening, Jerome Reyes and Jawn Joyner scored over 20 points again to lead ARFF to a 75-72 victory over the Commonwealth Health Center.

With Reyes and Joyner on fire, ARFF was able to control the bout and hold the advantage at the end of each of the first three periods—23-16, 41-26, and 57-42.

The 15-point lead heading into the fourth period, however, quickly evaporated into thin air, as CHC put on a furious charge in the final minutes. Tony Raho worked up 15 points and shooter Tom Diaz added two triples and a free throw to fuel the 30-point burst.

But the team came up short as Joyner hit two baskets and converted on two crucial free throws for the victory.

Reyes and Joyner had 28 and 21 points, while Carlos Torres added 10 points for ARFF.

Diaz and Raho paced CHC with 24 and 21 points, with Diaz hitting six triples.

First Game

DOL 68 – P. Rasa 16, Aaron 15, S. Rasa 14, Wesley 12, Peters 5, Manibusan 4, Nathan 2.

PSS 66 – Lashley 18, Van Buren 15, Mendiola 13, Gross 7, Buniag 5, Villagomez 4, Mendez 4.

Scoring by quarters: 16-8, 37-35, 54-48, 68-66.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Gilbert Espinosa.

Second Game

ARFF 75 – Reyes 28, Joyner 21, Torres 10, Mizutani 5, Diaz 5, Duenas 2, R. Sablan 2, Cepeda 2.

CHC 72 – Diaz 24, Raho 21, Tudela 9, Kalen 7, Seidler 4, Kindipan 4, Fernandez 3.

Scoring by quarters: 23-16, 41-26, 57-42, 75-72.

Referees: Jess Pabula and Gilbert Espinosa.