GTE beats Diamond Auto Care 111-77

GTE Pacifica trashed Diamond Auto Care, 111-77, despite a 10-point penalty in Monday night’s game of the Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands at Ada Gym.

Mark Wallace came up with 28 points, while Keith Gardner hauled in 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and three steals. Steve Lunn had seven rebounds, one assist, three block shots and four steals for the winners.

GTE was penalized by the BANMI Board due to the incident last Nov. 12 while playing against Mark Shark. The team’s assistant coach was also suspended for the entire season and playoffs for threatening and harassing referees.

Diamond Auto Care’s Lloyd Hartman, John Guerrero and Fernando Muleta pitched in 12 points a piece. Hartman had six rebounds, two assists and one block shot and a steal, while Guerrero had nine rebounds and one assist.

Meanwhile, Lite Beer narrowly defeated Ol’Aces, 76-72, in the first game, with Banjo Basila leading the team’s scoring at 15 points and Jun Alipio at 14 points.

Basila dished out five assists, had one block shot, 10 rebounds and a steal, while Ric Alegre, playing his first game of the season after an injury, had five rebounds, five assists and five steals. Alegre, with 16 seconds remaining in the ballgame, stole the ball and converted a lay-up to give the beermen the victory.

Romeo Iginoef scored 15 points for Ol’Aces while Dave Sablan had 13 boards. Wayne Pua had five rebounds, one assist, and four steals. Jason Rafael also helped out with six rebounds, three block shots, two steals and two assists.

Game Schedule

Friday, Dec. 10

1st Game Marpac/Saipan Stevedore Sharks vs Saipan Stars

2nd Game Len’s Bar & Grill vs San Vicente Sunrisers