Dai-Ichi, Mobil impressive in debuts

Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach and Mobil Oil Marianas put up strong performances in their debuts in the Mobil Oil Co-ed Invitational Basketball League Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the curtain raiser, Dai-Ichi leaned on a 20-point effort from Elmer Esdrelon, including a three-pointer with time winding down, to pull out an 80-78 victory over Microl-Toyota.

The heated contest was tight right from the start, with Dai-Ichi posting a slim four-point advantage, 18-14, after the first 10 minutes of play courtesy of a seven-point push by forward Tom Alegre.

Both teams would match each other point for point in the second quarter, each adding another 14 points to their corner to close the first half with Dai-Ichi still ahead by four points, 32-28. Leo Factor prevented Microl from falling, carrying his squad with 10 points, while drawing three fouls from the opposition.

Dai-Ichi would continue to hold a firm grip on its lead behind solid play in the third period. They managed to increase the gap to six points, 52-44, after outscoring Microl 20-16.

After being held to five points in the first three stanzas, Esdrelon began to work his magic, nailing consecutive shots from downtown to kick off his scoring spree.

Microl put up a furious charge in crunch time as veteran Jorge De Guzman, Factor, and youth standout Kevin Cequena combined for 26 points to put Microl in the driver’s seat. Esdrelon’s presence on the court, however, went on to be the deciding factor as he nailed another clutch three to give Dai-Ichi the win.

Supporting Esdrelon were point guard Adonis Macoto and lady player Okohira Noe, who each contributed 13 points.

Factor led all scorers with 22 points, while De Guzman and Cequena pumped in 20 and 17 points.

In the second game, playmaker extraordinaire Jhun Estolas put up a superb offensive attack and led host Mobil to a 96-84 victory over Commonwealth Ports Authority.

Estolas and big man Ryan Mendoza each had hot starts, torching the net for a combined 22 points to put Mobil up by two points, 28-26. CPA put up a strong fight and kept it close throughout the opening period with a balanced offensive attack.

Mobil, however, would continue to run on all cylinders and extended to a comfortable 12-point lead before the halftime buzzer, as Estolas and bruising swingman Junar Guiab took care of business at the offensive end.

While Estolas continued to have his way, CPA leaned on the shoulders of their big men—Jawn Joyner, Frank Mizutani, and Memo Elisiar—to cut the lead into single figures, 62-71, before the start of the fourth quarter.

But the trio of Estolas, Guiab, and Mendoza was just too much to handle as they propelled Mobil back into comfort zone and the win.

Estolas finished with a team-high 29 points, while Mendoza punched in 21. Errol Peredo and Guiab totaled 17 and 14 points, respectively.

Joyner also finished with 29 points to lead CPA.

First Game

Dai-Ichi 80—Esdrelon 20, Macoto 13, Noe 13, Alegre 9, Lizo 8, Galag 6, Jinang 6, Alipala 2, Tabora 2.

Microl 78—Factor 22, De Guzman 20, Cequena 17, Catalla 5, Lizama 3, Aspuria 3, Abuy 2, Cabrera 2.

Scoring by quarters: 18-14, 32-28, 52-44, 80-78.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Dado Vistal.

Second Game

Mobil 96—Estolas 29, Mendoza 21, Peredo 17, Guiab 14, Lorenzo 12, Torre 2.

CPA 84—Joyner 29, Mizutani 8, Reyes 8, Elisiar 8, Sablan 8, Guerrero 5, Muna 4, Pascua 4, Borja 2, Celis 2, Pangelinan 2.

Scoring by quarters: 28-26, 46-34, 71-62, 96-84.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Jess Pacheco.