DPS II, CPA eke out close wins

Department of Public Safety II and Commonwealth Ports Authority finished the year with a bang, escaping with morale-boosting wins over separate rivals in the 2004 Government Basketball League Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the first game, DPS II scored its second straight victory with a 79-73 shellacking of Office of the Public Auditor.

Guard Frank Pangelinan paced DPS II with 6 points, as the team took a 16-12 spread after the opening quarter.

Ed Diaz, the focus of a protest in the team’s previous win over Procurement & Supply, picked up where Pangelinan left off in the second quarter, pumping in 8 points—two from downtown—as DPS II continued to stay ahead of a determined OPA squad, 33-27, at the half.

Erick Atalig and Frank Torres led a spirited rally by OPA in the third canto, tossing in a combined 10 points. But DPS II remained on the driver’s seat and entered the fourth and final quarter still in control, 54-49.

Both teams would continue to play hard in the payoff period. But no one played harder than 6’1” Ned Norita. The Saipan Major’s League most dreaded slugger terrorized the paint, unloading 16 of his team high 23 points in the fourth to tow DPS II to victory.

Diaz and Pangelinan supported Norita’s yeoman’s effort with 18 and 11 points, respectively, while Jerry Ayuyu chipped in 10 for DPS II.

Atalig and Taula Peter paced OPA in the loss with 16 and 15 markers.

In the second game, CPA held off a late charge by Commonwealth Health Center 80-78.

It was a tight game from the opening jump ball to the final buzzer. CPA however, managed to lead most of the way and seemed headed for a win until a late barrage from sharpshooter Tom Diaz and Richard “Doc” Brostrom almost forced overtime.

Diaz fired 11 and Brostrom 6 in the game’s final 10 minutes, as CUC overhauled as much as an 8-point deficit to pull within 2 points of CPA’s lead, only to lose steam at the end.

Sunriser teammates Jerome Reyes and Jawn Joyner led CPA in the victory with 35 and 19 points, while Diaz and hulking Joe Tudela finished with 23 and 22 markers for CHC.

The government league took a break last night and again this afternoon and will resume play Monday with CPA taking on Department of Labor in the 6:30pm first game. The second game then pits P&S against defending champion Northern Marianas College.

First Game

DPS II 79 – Norita 23, Diaz 18, Pangelinan 11, Ayuyu 10, Hocog 8, Quitugua 3, Manalili 2. Sablan 2.

OPA 73 – Atalig 16, Peter 15, Camacho 10, Torres 9, Camacho 7, Dela Cruz 4.

Scoring by quarters: 16-12, 33-27, 54-49, 79-73.

Referees: Jess Pabula and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game

CPA 80 – Reyes 34, Joyner 19, Pangelinan 12, Sablan 5, Salas 4, Muna 2, Eusar 2, Guerrero 2,

CHC 78 – Diaz 23, Tudela 22, Brostrom 15, Rabauliman 10, Kalen 6, Guerrero 2.

Scoring by quarters: 25-18, 39-31, 61-56, 80-78.

Referees: Mike White and Jess Pabula.