Office of the Governor wins 1st game in inter gov’t/biz league

Team Office of the Governor muscled their way past Priority Care, 85-72, for their first win in the Inaugural R&J Wine and Liquor Inter-Gov’t/Business League 2023 last Thursday afternoon at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

From the opening jump ball, it was clear it was going to be a rough and tumble game. Team Office of the Governor are made up of players from the governor’s office and other government agencies including the Department of Public Safety, Marianas Visitors Authority, among others.

As they took on Priority Care—a team with great chemistry who also currently plays in another league, they squared up really quickly and kept pace with them—taking turns at the basket.

The first quarter was a fiery battle as both teams were equal in firepower and defensive prowess.

It was neck and neck throughout, with Office of the Governor’s Juan Camacho risking it all with tough fouls from his aggressiveness within the paint. He led the team with 7 points in a whirlwind first quarter—just as Priority Care’s Steve King kept them close with 8 points. When the dust settled, Office of the Governor led by just 3 points, 23-20.

Office of the Governor took their momentum into the rest of the game—building and finding their chemistry that rivaled that of Priority Care’s. As Office of the Governor’s offense and defense were strengthening, Priority Care was overpowered and fell apart—but only slightly as the lead was never greater than 10 points.

Camacho continued to dominate and draw fouls from Priority Care in a physically challenging matchup within the paint—complemented by Leo Galarse and Vince Igitol’s precision from the perimeter.

Priority Care tried to hold their own with help from sharp shooter King—passing to him when he’s open, but even with a game-high 36 points, it wasn’t enough to close the gap Office of the Governor fought for.

Matthew Duenas also tried to keep Priority Care afloat with his 14 markers, but to no avail.

By the end, Camacho had a team-high 20 points, while Galarse put up 14 markers, and Igitol had 12 of his own.

In the second game of the night, MarPac won their second game after they defeated the Federals, 90-74.

Last Saturday, Priority Care bounced back from their loss and won over PSS, 81-78; Joeten won their second game after they defeated CUC, 89-60; and CPA won their first game with a win against CHCC, 70-62.

Office of the Governor 85 – J. Camacho 20, Galarse 14, Igitol 12, Kwon 9, P. Camacho 7, Taisague 6, Diaz 6, K. Pangelinan 4, T. Pangelinan 4, Quitano 2, Basa 1.

Priority Care 71 – King 26, Duenas 15, Pelisamen 4, Rabauliman 4, Agulto 4, Omar 3, Manglona 2, Tilipao 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-20, 43-34, 68-59, 85-71.