Diamond Fixers rout Saipan Ice, grab solo lead

Behind the 19 points of power-playing Francis Rebuyon, Diamond Fixers dumped host Saipan Ice & Water Co. Inc., 94-73, in the latter’s 20th Anniversary Basketball Tournament Monday night at the Construction and Material Supply Court in Gualo Rai.

Rebuyon, who also plays for McDonald’s in the Mobil Oil Invitational Co-Ed Basketball League, was not the only player from Diamond to wreak havoc on Saipan Ice’s defenses, as three of his teammates also banged in double figure scores—Kevin Aldan with 15, Dan Ray Hernandez 14, and William Opone with 12.

Bernard Samson probably felt like Lt. Col George Custer in the Battle of Little Big Horn in the second game of the evening’s doubleheader, as he failed to get adequate support from his teammates.

Samson finished with a game-high 25 points but no other Saipan Ice player broke into double figures with Roland Sabila being the closest tossing in nine.

The win allowed Diamond Fixers to improve to 2-0, while the loss dropped Saipan Ice to 1-1.

In the first game, Micronesian Brokers Inc. leaned on flashy swingman Jeff Garcia to deal the Boholanos their second loss in as many games, 77-63. The win evened MBI’s record to 1-1.

Garcia pumped in 17 points to lead MBI to victory. He also got plenty of help from his teammates, as John Penalosa and Ronnie Palero totaled 14 apiece, and Gerry Gayo 10.

Offensive-minded guard Johnny Badilles shot the lights out of the CMC court with 24 points but it was all for naught, while Tirso Toquib added 18 in the loss.

The Saipan Ice & Water Co., Inc. 20th Anniversary Basketball Tournament kicked off a couple of weeks ago with eight teams vying for the championship.

Aside from the four already mentioned, other teams competing for hoop glory are Marianas Water (1-0), Subway (1-0), MDX Amateur Radio Club (0-1), and Diplomats (0-1).

The league resumes tomorrow evening with Marianas Ice taking on Subway in the curtain raiser and MDX facing Diplomats in the nightcap.

First Game

MBI 77 – Garcia 17, Penalosa 14, Palero 14, Gayo 10, Alvarez 8, Pe 6, Cordero 4, Camacho 2, Santiago 2.

Boholanos 63 – Badilles 24, Toquib 18, Miday 6, Rosauro 6, Castro 5, Decasa 4.

Second Game

Diamond Fixers 94 – Rebuyon 19, Aldan 12, Hernandez 14, Opone 10, Peleno 8, Montano 7, Mallari 7, Villasan 6, Lauron 2, Gabriel 2, Garcia 2.

Saipan Ice 73 – Samson 25, Sabilla 9, Mariano 8, Balarao 8, Fernandez 6, Lopez 6, Calma 5, Abadilla 4, Parfan 2.