PSS schools DPS I, DCCA wins

Public School System proved that it’s indeed one of teams to beat this season after it drubbed Department of Public Safety 1, 83-78, in the second game of last Wednesday’s tip-off of the 2004 Government Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

PSS jumped the gun on a DPS I team sorely missing its top guns. They would lead 17-11 after the first quarter, as UFO veteran Peter Mendiola and former Pacific Islands Club bomber Taj Van Burren waxed hot from the field.

Former national player Gabriel White then took on the scoring reins in the second, pumping in 15 of his 17 points in the quarter as PSS extended their lead and rested at halftime ahead by a whopping 18 points, 45-27.

Women’s national coach Don Blondin would then takeover the game without scoring a single point in the third as he ably assisted to Van Burren and to another former national player, Gary Lashley. At the end of three quarters of play, PSS were firmly in control on top by 22 points, 45-27.

With the outcome of the game beyond doubt, PSS relaxed their guard a bit and allowed DPS I to make the final score close. It seemed they went overboard, as the law enforcers came as close as 5 points before the final buzzer halted their rally.

Van Burren led a balanced scoring attack by PSS with 22 markers. Mendiola chipped in 17 points the same total produced by White before being kicked out by dad and referee Mike White for contesting a call.

Elias Saralu was his usual high-scoring self and led the night’s scoring with 28 points. Pint-sized Joe Ito also knocked in 12 in a losing cause.

Half of DPS I’s team from last year has been gutted after key players joined the U.S. Army and are currently training in Texas for future deployment to Iraq.

In the season opener, Elias Rangamar and Joey Dela Cruz combined for 43 points to lead Department of Community and Cultural Affairs to a 90-81 win over Commonwealth Ports Authority.

Edgar Pangelinan led CPA with 16 points, while Mel Tagabuel and Jerome Reyes added 12 apiece in the setback.

First Game

DCCA 90 – Rangamar 24, Dela Cruz 19, Rogolifoi 16, Peliseman 13, Reyes 12, Iginoef 6.

CPA 81 – E. Pangelinan 16, Tagabuel 12, Reyes 12, Cabrera 9, R. Sablan, 6, C. Sablan 6, Demapan 6, J. Pangelinan 6, Muna 4.

Scoring by quarters: 18-19, 41-39, 54-51, 90-81.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game

PSS 83 – Van Burren 22, P. Mendiola 17, G. White 17, Lashley 12, Gross 11, F. Mendiola 2, S White 2.

DPS I 78 – Saralu 28, Ito 12, Quitugua 10, Manglona 10, Celes 8, Kaipat 8, Farley 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-11, 45-27, 64-42, 83-78.

Referees: Mike White and Dado Vistal.