Saralu hits 50 as DPS bounces back

Veteran Elias Saralu was itching to get back onto the hard court and showed it Wednesday evening as he exploded for a whopping 50 points to lead the Department of Public Safety Enforcers to victory in the ongoing 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Saralu, who has led the league in scoring the past years, showed off his outside shooting as he knocked in 10 bombs from long range, fueling a 112-60 victory over the Department of Public Works.

Saralu and company got off to a rock-and-rolling start as the team solidified their dominance by outscoring their opponents, 30-15, in the first period.

Saralu, who had seven points in the first 10 minutes, was just getting warmed up as he hit two triples and had 12 points in the second quarter to push DPS to a 58-32 lead at the break.

The outside sniper continued to have his way as he heated up for three more long-range jumpers while pumping in 13 points in the third quarter as the Enforcers further distanced themselves and saw their lead grow to 40 points, 84-44.

Still not satisfied, Saralu saved his best for last as he carried his hot shooting over to the final period and put the rock through the hoop for another four 3-pointers while adding 18 points to his name.

Saralu was not the only one having a blast as Roy Kaipat and Oscar Sablan also had their way for 19 and 18 points, while Jake Celes contributed 10 points for the Enforcers.

Eric Atalig led DPW with 19 points, while John Deleon Guerrero and Myron Sablan punched in 15 and 10 points.

Earlier, the Public School System had a tough time at the start but used a second half explosion to blow past Customs, 95-59.

Lawrence Buniag led five PSS cagers in double figures with 19 points, while Taj Van Buren poured in 16 points.

Ray Lizama had 21 points to lead Customs, while John Paul Sablan and Dennis Reyes added 10 points apiece.

First Game
PSS 95 – Buniag 19, Van Buren 16, Villagomez 15, Mendez 15, Rosic 13, Lashley 9, Jimeno 4, Mendiola 4.
Customs 59 – Lizama 21, Reyes 10, Sablan 10, Fejeran 8, Iguel 4, Santos 4, Seman 2.
Scoring by quarters: 15-13, 41-34, 71-44, 95-59.
Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Dado Vistal.

Second Game
DPS 112 – Saralu 50, Kaipat 19, Sablan 18, Celes 10, Taitano 8, Warfield 7.
DPW 60 – Atalig 19, Deleon Guerrero 15, Sablan 10, Cabrera 6, Tomokane 6, Norita 4.
Scoring by quarters: 30-15, 58-32, 84-44, 112-60.
Referees: Jess Pabula and Mike White.