DPS II beats PSS, gains final seat

Department of Public Safety II completed their transformation from title pretenders to contenders Monday evening at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium when they upset pennant winners Public School System, 89-82, to advance to the championship of the 2004 Government Basketball League.

Seeing action in the first game, the law enforcers played PSS in almost even terms in the first two quarters, down by just four, 15-19, after the first canto and three, 36-39, at the end of the first half.

DPS II, however, struggled against PSS in the third quarter and fell by as much as 15 points before the first round bullies relaxed their grip and brought in their shock troopers.

That was just the break DPS II was waiting for, as do-it-all forward Ed Diaz and burly center Ned Norita strung together a bunch of points that whittled down PSS’ lead to a manageable nine points, 57-66, going into the fourth and final quarter.

PSS tried to flip the switch back in the payoff period but it was already too late, because DPS II found its rhythm and engaged the pennant champs in a down-the-wire contest.

Norita and Diaz were again at the front and center of the uprising, scoring 21 of the team’s very productive 32 markers in the final 10 minutes.

In contrast, PSS could only cough up a measly 16 points in the fourth and their desperate heaves from the land of last resort in the final two minutes, with DPS II ahead by five, weren’t answered.

And to add insult to injury, DPS II capped the scoring when point guard Jerry Ayuyu executed a fancy behind-the-back pass to Norita for a deuce.

Diaz led a balanced scoring attack by DPS II with 23 markers. Ayuyu added 22 and Norita 20.

Athletic forward Gary Lashley fired 18 points before fouling out to lead PSS. Center Taj Van Buren struggled for 17, while Gabriel White was held down to 13 points in their disappointing loss.

In the second game, Tinian had a 3-point party against a depleted Procurement and Supply team, connecting on 15 shots from afar in its 128-74 win.

Anthony Borja went berserk from the arc, swishing six triples to lead Tinian with 26 points. Center/forward Keith Nabors added 15, including two hits from downtown.

Forwards Oscar Masga and Jack Diaz scored 19 and 17 points for P&S, while center Jack Palacios and guard Ray Takai were good for 16 apiece. P&S played with only five players with Pete Palacios adding six.

Before the game, P&S put the match under protest saying that Tinian already forfeited the first round playoff game by not showing up for their original game scheduled Friday.

Organizers, however, made a decision yesterday morning, thumbing down the protest. They said Tinian gave organizers prior notice Friday, that they would not make it to the game because of high surf, and upheld Tinian’s win Monday evening.

Action in the government league resumes tonight with Tinian taking on Department of Labor in the lone 6:30pm game. The winner of the contest will then advance to the semis to play DPS I on Friday, 6:30pm.

The winner of Friday’s semifinals will join DPS II in the best-of-three championship series beginning Saturday, 12pm.

First Game

DPS II 89 – Diaz 23, Ayuyu 22, Norita 20, Hocog 10, Diaz 8, Olopai 4.

PSS 82 – Lashley 18, Van Buren 17, G. White 13, P. Mendiola 12, Gross 8, Blondin 4, Blechner 4, F. Mendiola 2, S. White 2.

Scoring by quarters: 15-19, 36-39, 57-66, 89-82.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Dado Vistal.

Second Game

Tinian 128 – Borja 26, Nabors 20, Evangelista 15, Manglona 15, Pascua 10, San Nicolas 10, Aldan 9, Santos 9, King 8, Manibusan 6.

P&S 74 – Masga 19, Diaz 17, Ja.Palacios 16, Takai 16, P. Palacios 6.

Scoring by quarters: 36-19, 69-38, 97-52, 128-74.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.