DPS I stuns CHC, DCCA wins again

Department of Public Safety I rode on the heroics of sharpshooter Elias Saralu as they upset Commonwealth Health Center 69-68 in overtime last Friday in the 2004 Government Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

CHC flexed their muscles early behind the hot shooting of 6’4” Richard “Doc” Brostrom. But DPS I would not let CHC out of their sights and trailed only by five points, 24-29, at lemontime.

Both teams cruised through the third canto with CHC taking the same lead of five points, 42-37, into the fourth and final quarter.

CHC dominated DPS I in the early goings of the payoff period and stretched their lead to nine points with under a minute to go. But the never-say-never Saralu refused to accept the loss and single-handedly closed the gap with two triples and three free throws to forge overtime.

In the extra session, Saralu got plenty of help from his supporting cast, as DPS I was able to complete the comeback.

Saralu scored 19 points to lead DPS I. Alfred Celes and Joe Ito also added 17 and 13 markers in the win.

Brostrom and fellow 6’4” frontliner Tony Raho banged in 15 and 14 points, respectively, in the loss.

Earlier, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs wiggled out from a three-way tie atop the standings with a 98-72 thrashing of DPS II.

DCCA had a sluggish first quarter but pushed all the right buttons in the second to pull away for good.

Baseball stalwart Joey Dela Cruz led DCCA with 20 points, while Ben Pelisamen and Elias Rangamar added 18 and 16 points.

Ned Norita was the top scorer for DPS II with 17 points, while Carl Hocog added 13 markers.

The government league will take a weeklong break to make way for the 3rd Annual Pacific Rim Youth Goodwill Tournament. Games will resume on Monday, Nov. 29, with undefeated teams Public School System and Department of Labor seeing action in the 6:30pm first game. The second game at 8pm will be a showdown between winless teams Office of Public Auditor and Saipan Mayor’s Office.

First Game

DCCA 98 – Dela Cruz 20, Pelisamen 18, Rangamar 16, Iginoef 11, Sablan 9, Limes 6, Tenorio 4, Tagabuel 3, Rogolofoi 2, Omar 2.

DPS II 72 – Norita 17, Hocog 13, Kiyoshi 8, Taitano 6, Ayuyu 5, Ogumoro 4, Reyes 1, Sablan 1.

Scoring by quarters: 19-16, 46-25, 64-30, 98-72.

Second Game

DPS I 69 – Saralu 19, Celes 17, Ito 13, Taitano 6, Quitugua 6, Kaipat 4, Joab 2, Steven 2.

CHC 68 – Brostrom 15, Raho 14, Diaz 12, Steidler 10, R. Guerrero 6, Tudela 4, Kindipan 2, E. Guerrero 2, Rabauliman 2.

Scoring by quarters: 15-20, 29-24, 42-37, 55-55, 69-68, OT.