Nissan back on top of Bud Cup

Players for MARPAC-Nissan Titans have plenty of reasons to smile about these days as the team made its way back to the top of the 2005 Budweiser Cup BANMI Men’s Island-wide Basketball League, while Anheuser-3’s Construction notched its fourth win Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Titans now sport a league-best 8-1 win-loss card thanks to their impressive 113-83 victory over Bacardi-Golden Oldies.

Nissan used its run-and-gun style of play to grab the early lead as Jawn Joyner shouldered an impressive 22-13 run in the first quarter with 12 points, including scoring the team’s final 10 points.

Teammates Mark Wallace and Aleric Aguon picked up where Joyner left off and combined for 16 points in the second quarter, fueling the team’s 31-17 scoring binge to head into the break ahead by a commanding 23 points, 53-30.

It was cruise control from then on for Nissan as the cagers in black dominated the final 20 minutes to stroll to the lopsided victory.

Bacardi had a respectable push from Mike Muna in the fourth quarter as the veteran turned back the hands of time and punched in 11 straight points for the team.

Joyner led Nissan with 20 points, Wallace supported him with 13 points, and Gary Lashley and Aguon finished with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Tim Wesley also added 10 points.

Gilbert Espinosa and Robert Tamondong led Bacardi with 14 and 13 points, while Rufino Aguon and Muna added 11 points apiece.

Earlier, Kevin Ceuquena erupted for 38 points to lead Anheuser to a 113-83 victory over Michelob-Masters Construction.

Supporting Cequena were Jolan Mendoza with 18 points, Randy Arnedo with 12 points, and John Artates with 11 points.

Dave Sablan had the hot hand all night long and broke over the 40-point mark again with 46 points to lead Michelob, while Ned Norita added 17 points.

Bud Cup action continues tonight with Bud Light-Toyota Tundra taking on Anheuser at 7pm and O’Duols-Ol’Aces battling Bud Ice-SaipanCell Hoopaholics at 8:30pm.

First Game
Anheuser-3’s Construction 113—Cequena 38, Mendoza 18, Arnedo 12, Artates 11, De Guzman 8, Domingo 8, De Dios 6, Muleta 5, Factor 4, Cortez 3.
Michelob-Masters Construction 83—D. Sablan 46, Norita 17, M. Sablan 8, Kalen 7, Ayuyu 3, Mendiola 2.
Scoring by quarters: 27-16, 51-35, 92-58, 113-83.
Referees: Arnold Mesa and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game
MARPAC-Nissan Titans 105—Joyner 20, Wallace 13, Lashley 12, Aguon 11, Wesley 10, Rasa 8, Camacho 8, Peter 8, Fitial 6, Quitugua 4, Palacios 3.
Bacardi-Golden Oldies 73—Espinosa 14, Tamondong 13, Aguon 11, Muna 11, Punzalan 9, MacDuff 5, Raho 2, Warfield 2.
Scoring by quarters: 22-13, 53-30, 80-50, 105-73.
Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.