Pepsi too much for Legends II

Pepsi rebounded from a slow start and burned the nets at the Northern Marianas College Gymnasium Friday night en route to a 103-88 victory over the Chalan Kanoa Legends II in the continuation of the 45-and-over 2005 Masters Basketball League.

Pepsi cruised behind the guns of veteran Danny Bicera, who went berserk and spearheaded his team to victory by scoring more than 10 points in two of the four quarters played.

Bicera got off on the right foot and pumped in eight points in the first quarter as he supported a hot start by Nomar Gamboa, who drilled in 10 markers. Their efforts, however, were just good enough to keep Pepsi within striking distance as the bog man Dave Demapan and his Legends II were able to take a 26-24 lead.

Demapan was on fire as he torched the net for 12 points.

The Legends’ fire cooled off in the second period and Pepsi seized their golden opportunity and took advantage. Bicera took the driver seat and worked his magic for 13 points and the rest of the Pepsi cagers combined for another 12 as the team outscored their opponents, 25-17, to head into the break up 49-43.

Bicera was far from done and carried his scoring spree over to the second half. The former most valuable player managed to score 11 of the team’s 27 points, but the highlight was Pepsi’s defense, which worked tenaciously in their favor as they limited the Legends II to just 10 points.

With their defense building a wall in front of the Chalan Kanoa basket, Pepsi widened the gap and led by a comfortable margin as the match headed into the payoff period, 76-53.

With the game pretty much out of reach, Bicera slowed down and hit just three field goals, one being a three-pointer. He didn’t have to pour in more points as Tony Sablan, Gamboa, Scott Norman, and Manny Sitchon were able to stir up enough points to keep a firm grip on their commanding lead.

Bicera finished with a game-high 39 points while Gamboa and Sablan punched in 22 and 19 points for Pepsi. Sitchon and Norman also contributed 11 and 10 points.

Demapan, Alex Garcia, and June Miday each had 14 points for Chalan Kanoa while Jerry Lopez supported with 11 points.

Earlier in the evening, the Old Aces managed to get a free win courtesy of a walkover victory in the 35-and-over league.

Verizon was not able to suit up enough players for their scheduled bout, and as a result, forfeited the game.

Masters action was scheduled to continue yesterday, however, results were not available as of press time.

Pepsi 103—Bicera 39, gamboa 22, Sablan 19, Sitchon 11, Norman 10, Saike 2.

Legends II 88—Demapan 14, Garcia 14, Miday 14, Lopez 11, Basa 8, Takai 8.

Scoring by quarters: 24-26, 49-43, 76-53, 103-88.

Referees: Abner Venus and Dado Vistal.