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Verizon upends ex-teammates
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Posted on Aug 01 2005
Verizon gave their former teammates a ton of trouble in the final game of the weekend’s 2005 Masters Basketball League, as the 35-and-over powerhouse defeated Natibu 79-70 Saturday at the Northern Marianas College Gymnasium.
Natibu got off to a good start, spotting Verizon 4-0 and at one point held a six-point advantage, but playing coach Tony Sablan and company eased into the game following their sputtering start and it was a dogfight from then on.
Verizon’s resident strongman Danny Bicera played the role of Red Barron to the hilt and gave his team plenty of offense.
Natibu, for its part, got a lot of contributions from master’s rookie George Masga and older brother Oscar, who used to play for Verizon.
Another ex-Verizon player, Jack Palacios, and brother John also struck hard inside the paint for Natibu, but it wasn’t enough as Verizon just had too much weapons at its disposal, as Bicera soon got help from longtime feeder Frank Iglecias, streakshooter Felix Palacios, and new recruit Norman Gamboa.
Verizon got 24 points from Bicera and 16 from playmaker Frank Iglecias, while Gamboa and Palacios added 13 and 10 points, respectively.
George Masga led the way for Natibu with 20 points, while Oscar Masga and John Palacios added 10 points apiece in a losing cause.
The MBL resumes this Friday with its regular doubleheader featuring 35-and-over teams Old Aces and Natibu facing off against each in the first game and 45-and-over squads Legends II and Pepsi taking on each other in the second.
Saturday’s scheduled would have 45-and-over teams Old Aces and Proa dueling in the first game, while 35-and-over teams Verizon and Proa and Sabungero and Diamond Fixers square off in the second and third matches, respectively.
Verizon 79 – Bicera 24, Iglecias 16, Gamboa 13, Palacios 10, Sablan 7, Cabrera 4, Pineda 3, Salazar 2.
Natibu 70 – G. Masga 20, O. Masga 10, Jo. Palacios 10, J. Diaz 8, D. Masga 6, Takai 4, Guerrero 4, Ja. Palacios 4, Won 4.
Referees: Dado Vistal and Jess Pacheco.
