DPS II completes Cinderella season

“Faith.”

That’s one word to explain how a team that finished seventh in the regular season managed to climb all the way to the top and win the championship of the 2004 Government Basketball League.

Twice down by 18 points in the second half, the Department of Public Safety II found themselves in familiar ground—trailing by a large gap.

The team, however, never lost touch with its desire to win, and rallied to force overtime, where they eventually completed their Cinderella story with a hard-fought 107-103 victory over the Department of Labor at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium Wednesday night.

The law enforcers got off to a solid start and led by two at the end of the first 10 minutes of play, 19-17, but the tables quickly turned, as a determined Labor squad strived to stretch the championship series.

Former national player Steve Rasa, who scored all but five of DOL’s points in the opening period, had his way in the paint for 13 points in the second quarter to spearhead Labor to a 45-33 advantage at the break.

Things would go from bad to worse for the law enforcers, as Labor continued to build on its momentum, scoring in the early goings of the second half.

After scoring the first bucket of the third quarter, DPS II went on a cold spell and Labor immediately took control.

Mitch Aaron caught fire from behind the 3-point arc, Tim Wesley worked his magic in the paint, and Rasa and George Poquiz added support, as Labor broke away and posted a comfortable 65-47 lead with 3:13 remaining in the third quarter.

Rasa, however, picked up his fourth personal foul with 2:41 left in the third stanza and retreated to the bench, setting the stage for DPS II’s furious comeback.

Another Aaron bomb brought Labor’s lead back to 68-50, but DPS II mimicked Anatahan’s eruption and went on a 7-0 run to claw to within 11, and finally sliced the deficit into single digits on a key 3-point swoosh from Ed Diaz with only 56 seconds left, 67-75.

A free throw by Ned Norita cut the lead to seven as the bout went to the fourth stanza.

DPS II continued to gnaw at Labor’s lead and eventually knotted the score at 79-all on a basket by Norita with 6:32 left in regulation.

The two teams remained neck-and-neck in the closing minutes. DPS II actually grabbed the lead on a bucket by John Sablan with a little over a minute remaining.

Rasa, however, would respond, punching a jump shot in the paint to pull even again at 95-all.

DPS II had ball possession with 23 seconds ticks left, but its players didn’t run the clock down enough, allowing Labor a possible game-winning lay-up

Luckily, law enforcer Carl Hocog huffed and puffed his way downcourt to block the shot just as time expired, forcing the extra session.

DPS II drew first blood in overtime but Labor retaliated with a 7-0 run that put them on top, 102-97, with 1:41 left.

DPS II would then go on a run of their own and cut the lead to a point on a layup by Sablan, 101-102.

Diaz would bring the light to DPS II’s corner on two free throws, 103-102, and after a free throw by Wesley leveled the score with 59 seconds remaining, DPS II took control and clinched the title on two lay ups by Norita, with his second shot coming off a steal by Diaz, who dribbled towards the paint and dished off to a cutting Norita from the wing to seal the deal.

Norita finished with 30 points, all coming in the second half and overtime to lead DPS II, while Diaz and Jerry Ayuyu punched in 23 and 22 points. Hocog contributed 18 points.

Rasa did all Labor could ask of him as he torched the nets for a game-high 42 points, while Wesley and Poquiz added 23 and 17 points, respectively. Aaron chipped in 16 points, 13 coming in the third period.

Shortly after the championship game, both teams and their supporters, and league officials gathered for an awards ceremony at the Minatchom Atdao Pavilion across the street.

Diaz was crowned finals MVP, while Elias Rangamar of Department of Community and Cultural Affairs was named regular season most valuable player. Sharpshooter Elias Saralu, of third-place DPS I, won the scoring race. Players above the age of 45 years of were also recognized with medals.

Public School System also received its pennant trophy and the Saipan Mayor’s Office took home this year’s Sportsmanship Award.

DPS II 107—Norita 30, E. Diaz 23, Ayuyu 22, Hocog 18, J. Diaz 8, Sablan 4, Manalili 2.

DOL 103—Rasa 42, Wesley 23, Poquiz 17, Aaron 16, Sablan 5.

Scoring by quarters: 19-17, 33-45, 68-75, 95-95, 107-103 (OT).

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Ricky Itaas.