Toyota extends win streak to six

Two-time defending champion Bud Light-Toyota Tundra built a sizable lead and held off a late charge by the determined young guns of Bud Ice-SaipanCell Hoopaholics to record their sixth straight win in the ongoing 2005 Budweiser Cup BANMI Men’s Island-wide Basketball League.

After a tightly fought first half, Toyota managed to break away in the third quarter and leaned on its height and experience advantage to put up a thrilling 91-89 victory Friday night, handing Bud Ice its second loss.

Both teams were evenly matched in the first half, with Toyota’s frontcourt cast dominating the paint and the Hoopaholics keeping close with its perimeter shooting.

Toyota led by a point after each of the first two periods—27-26 and 44-43—but soon took control of the match after picking up its intensity at the start of the third quarter.

Using their physical advantage over the younger Hoops, Toyota managed to bulldoze their way in the paint, with center Abong Camacho having his way for 13 points.

With Camacho working well in the post and the Toyota defense forcing various turnovers, the defending champions were able to steam ahead by adding another 27 points on the board while limiting Team Hoops to just nine points for a comfortable 71-54 cushion heading into the final stanza.

Toyota continued to hold a double-digit lead until the midway point of the payoff period. Little by little, the Hoopaholics inched closer. Peter Mendiola and Jester Garcia hit crucial bombs from long range, taking advantage of several Toyota miscues, and John Sablan knocked down two triples of his own, the second pulling the Hoopaholics into a tie, 89-89, with just 1:55 remaining.

Toyota, however, would have the last say as playmaker Elias Rangamar launched a missile pass that ended up in the hands of Camacho, who converted on a layup to put his team ahead.

Hoopaholics had one last shot and almost came away with the win after a desperation three-point attempt by center Sivas Awes hit the backboard, rattled on the rim, and bounced off as time expired.

Camacho led Toyota with a game-high 30 points while Taj Van Buren knocked in three triples and had 19 points. Forwards Romeo Iginoef and Peter Camacho also punched in 12 and 10 points.

Sablan led Hoopaholics with 18 points while Jason Amado and Garcia had 13 points apiece. Jeremy Sablan also had 12 points.

Earlier, Dave Sablan stepped up his game in the absence of teammate Tony Diaz and torched the net for 47 points to lead Michelob-Masters Construction to a 97-88 victory over Budweiser-Wells Fargo.

Sablan drilled in five triples, scoring nine points in the first quarter, 11 in the second, 15 in the third, and 11 in the fourth to lead his team to win No. 4.

Ed Diaz, John Reyes, and Jerry Ayuyu also finished in double figures, while Jack Palacios and J.R. Ngeskebei led Wells Fargo with 24 and 20 points.

First Game

Michelob-Masters Construction 97—D. Sablan 47, e. Diaz 16, Reyes 12, Ayuyu 10, Calvo 6, Hocog 2.

Budweiser-Wells Fargo 88—Ja. Palacios 24, Ngeskebei 20, Jo. Palacios 19, Sablan 10, G. Palacios 7, G. Palacios 6, Andrew 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-20, 45-40, 72-67, 97-88.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game

Bud Light-Toyota91—A. Camacho 30, Van Buren 19, Iginoef 12, P. Camacho 10, Santos 6, Celes 4, Renguul 4, Saralu , Rangamar 2.

Bud Ice-Hoopaholics 89—Jo. Sablan 18, Garcia 13, Amado 13, Je. Sablan 12, Diaz 8, Awes 8, Mendiola 8, Manibusan 6, Lee 2, Villacrusis 1.

Scoring by quarters: 27-26, 44-43, 71-54, 91-89.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Jess Pacheco.