Alliana’s deals Guardians its first loss

There are no more undefeated teams in the Pacific Saipan Inc. Promo Invitational Basketball League after Alliana’s drubbed erstwhile undefeated Guardians, 74-65, last Friday at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Alliana’s started slow and found itself doubled up by Guardians, 28-14, as Jomari Dela Cruz fired two triples in the first quarter.

Jomar Tengco rallied his teammates in the second quarter and thanks to his 7 points Alliana’s was able to turn the tables against Guardians and found itself nursing a 38-37 lead at intermission.

The nip-and-tuck encounter continued in the second half with Guardians this time taking the initiative. Dela Cruz this time got some help from Darwin Gonzales and Rodmar Diaz as they entered the last 10 minutes of the contest ahead by 4 points, 50-46.

In the end, Alliana’s outscored the suddenly defenseless Guardians, 28-15, in the fourth and final quarter to complete the 9-point win.

Richard Mendoza led all scorers with 22 points to lead Alliana’s, while Jobert Meriales put up 20 markers in support. Jann Godoy led Guardians in the loss with 16 points with Dela Cruz chipping in 15 points of his own.

The win allowed Alliana’s to catch Team Legends atop the league standings at 4-1, while the loss dropped Guardians to 3-1.

Speaking of Team Legends, the squad posted win No. 4 against a single loss after it triumphed against winless Johnny’s Bar & Grill, 50-30, earlier in the evening in a painfully low-scoring contest.

Veteran Jun Tabora led Team Legends’ rout of Johnny’s Bar & Grill with 19 points, while Dick Tibayan added 16 points.

Albert Agustin and Paul Flores led Johnny’s Bar & Grill’s third loss in three games with 6 points apiece.

The Pacific Saipan Inc. Promo Invitational Basketball League is made up of eight teams with Maplas (2-1), Unity Trade (1-2), Bourbon Bar & Café (1-2), and Eagles Team (0-3) also seeing action.

First Game

Team Legends 50 – Ju. Tabora 19, Tibayan 16, Ji. Tabora 11, Rosario 2, P. Tabora 2.

Johnny’s Bar & Grill 30 – Agustin 6, Flores 6, Hernandez 4, Taraya 4, Brien 3, Saludez 3, Bongolan 2, Guiambao 2.

Scoring by quarters: 9-6, 22-12, 33-25, 50-30.

Second Game

Alliana’s 74 – Mendoza 22, Meriales 20, Broncano 11, Tengco 11, Leightly 8, Kenichi 2.

Guardians 65 – Godoy 16, Dela Cruz 15, Diaz 11, Gonzales 7, Dericto 7, Gatbunton 3, George 3, Didulo 2, Hermosa 1.

Scoring by quarters: 14-28, 38-37, 46-50, 74-65.