Inter-Government Basketball League Finance, Army Reserves smash opponents

The Department of Finance banked on the heroics of Ray Palacios and Ben Duenas to hand NMC their first loss of the season 48-47. With less than a minute left in the game and NMC up 47-42, Palacios and Duenas scored the next 5 points for DOF, including Duenas’ 3-pointer to tie the game up at 47-47.

In the dying seconds of the game, Palacios was fouled and converted 1 to 2 from the foul line, which proved to be the difference in the game. NMC had the victory in hand, but their decision not to run out the clock allowed DOF to get back in the game.

Palacios and Duenas combined for 10 of the team’s 16 4th quarter points to complete the come Back. For the game, Palacios was the topgun for DOF with game highs of 16 points, and 12 rebounds, while Duenas chipped in with 5 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

For NMC (1-1), Jerry Diaz pumped in 16 point and 4 rebounds, while Dave Atalig assisted with 6 points and 9 rebounds.

In the second game of the evening the Army Reserves marched all over the Department of Commerce, 71-61 quarter lead, but Commerce closed the gap at the half, 38-29 led by the inside game of Steve Sablan, Jesse Palacios and Lee Cabrera.

In the second half, the inside game of Commerce took precedence to the Reserve’s running game. As Donald Ludwig and Jeff Sablan scorched for 23 combined points in the half to put the game out of reach.

Ludwig finished the game with high of 29 points and 5 steals, while Sablan Dumped in 13 points, 10 rebounds and 8 steals. Rudy “Yes Sir” Kaipat. also contributed with 10 points and 10 rebounds for the victors. For Commerce, Steve Sablan finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Cabrera and Palacios finished with 9 points, 15 rebounds and 14 points, 9 rebounds, respectively.

DOLI nips CUC, 69-58

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation received a power outage as the Department of Labor and Immigration raced out to a 22-12 first quarter lead and CUC never recovered from the glitch, falling powerless to DOLI, 69-58.

Ponce Rasa led 3 players in double figures with 18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Sid Tebuteb chipped in with 11 points, while hauling down 9 boards. For CUC, Veteran George Poquiz, led the way with 16 points, while Jeff Quitugua pumped in 12 points and 10 rebounds.

PSS smashes DEQ, 65-49

The Public School System needed 4 quarters to put away a pesky Department of Environmental Quality team 65-49. DEQ undersized and undermanned, surprised PSS and led for most of the first half and 3rd quarter before PSS, led by Mark “The Delivery Man” Rozic’s game highs (22 points, 15 rebounds) came back to take a slim 43-37 heading into the final quarter.

DEQ’s guests for an upset came short as a fraternity of PSS players came gulping in to seal the victory in the final quarter. Mark Rozic’s game highs led both teams, while teammates Jack Palacios and Walter Taitingfong both contributed 12 points. For DEQ, Jay Mareshita’s all-round performance, netted him 21 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 blocks and 2 assists.

Schedule of Games

Feb. 5

First Game: 6:30pm – Department of Public Safety vs. Department of Labor and Immigration

Second Game: 8:00pm – Commonwealth Ports Authority vs. Department of Environmental Quality

Feb. 6

First Game: 6:30pm — Department of Land Registration & Survey vs. Department of Public Works

Second Game: 8:00pm — Department of Community & Cultural Affairs vs. DPS- Fire Department

Feb. 7

First Game: 6:30pm – Department of Finance (DOF) vs. Public School System (PSS)

Second Game: 8:00pm – Army Reserves vs. Commonwealth Utilities Corporation

Thursday Feb. 08

First Game: 6:30pm – Commonwealth Health Center (CHC) vs. Department of Commerce

Second Game: 8:00pm – DPS-Fire vs. Division of Environmental Quality