Legends stand ground against Guardians, 58-54

The Legends brought the Guardians to their knees, in a nail-biting 58-54 game, in the continuation of the Pacific Saipan Inc. Promo Invitational Basketball League last Thursday at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

It’s an ongoing family affair for the Taboras as shots fired from the uncle-nephew duo helped the Legends stay on top.

The Guardians didn’t let their guard down that easily throughout the game though as they kept pace and came within one point at the end of the second quarter 21-22.

Rodmar Diaz’s 8 points and clutch plays, steered the Guardians to a 41-37 lead at the end of the third quarter as the game shifted in their favor.

It was a battle of checks and balances throughout with a back-and-forth scoring of points, but the Legends had it locked in the fourth. Dick Tibayan and Jun Tabora shifted the momentum towards their side as they found their stride in the crucial last minutes of the game.

They took turns at the basket and brought the Legends out of the four-point hole and in turn dug the Guardians into their own four-point hole. Tabora led the Legends with 18, while nephew Jimboy put up 12 of his own, and Tibayan made do with 10.

The Guardians’ Diaz and Erwin Lumanlan had 14 markers each, and Manuel Gatbunton contributed eight.

The other game that night was a blowout win by Alliana’s, 80-65, over Bourbon Bar & Cafe.

In the makeup game of Maplas and Jonny’s Bar & Grill last Friday, Jonny’s crew stirred the pot just right and won in another 66-45 blowout.

Legends 58 — Ju, Tabora 18, Ji. Tabora 12, Tibayan 10, Ege 8, Montano 4, Rosario 2, Discartin 2, Zapata 2.

Guardians 54 — Diaz 14, Lumanlan 14, Gatbunton 8, Godoy 6, Directo 5, George 3, Peredo 2, Hermosa 2.

Scoring by quarters: 12-9, 22-21, 37-41, 58-54.