Toyota bounces Nissan to take top spot

Two-time defending champions Bud Light-Toyota Tundra emerged victorious Friday night and is back on top of the team standings of the ongoing 2005 Budweiser Cup BANMI Men’s Island-wide Basketball League.

Entering with a two-way tie against fellow powerhouse MARPAC-Nissan Titans, the Toyota cagers put up a valiant effort in the second half to hand the Titans their third loss of the season, 91-81.

With the win, Toyota sits with a 10-2 win-loss card while the loss dropped the Titans to third place with an 8-3 record.

As expected, the game was tightly fought in the opening period as both teams played their hearts out in hopes of grabbing the early advantage.

Power forward Charlie Peters made good use of his time on the court and played a key role in the Titans 23-21 edge as he punched in the team’s first seven points while Aleric Aguon and Chris Camacho drilled in a couple of field goals.

It was a different story in the second quarter as the defending champions turned the tables and went on a 23-13 run to swing favor to their corner. Like the preceding quarter, Toyota used a well-balanced offensive attack to fuel their charge as all seven players who suited up managed to put the rock through the hoop. The half ended with Toyota ahead by eight points, 44-36.

The Titans came storming back in the third period and quickly cut the lead in half on buckets by former National player Steve Rasa and guard Dave Palacios, 40-44.

Toyota’s Taj Van Buren helped the team keep its slim breathing room by knocking down nine points, but Tundra soon saw its lead trim to just two points as Peters went back to work in paint and powered his way for another 11 points to bring Nissan close, 66-68, with one period left.

That was as close as the Titans got, though, as sniper Elias Saralu swooshed a triple to start the fourth and Toyota managed to widen the gap again on a balanced effort and hold on for the 10-point winning spread.

Van Buren finished with a game-high 20 points to lead Toyota while Junior Renguul and Saralu supported with 15 and 14 points. Elias Rangamar and Abong Camacho also chipped in 13 and 12 points.

Peters had a solid outing and led Nissan with 18 points while Aguon and Jawn Joyner contributed 14 and 13 points. Ponce Rasa also added 10 points.

Meanwhile, the Bacardi-Golden Oldies notched its fifth win in 12 chances and second via forfeit after Budweiser-Wells Fargo failed to suit up enough players.

Bud Cup action continues tomorrow as Wells Fargo (0-11) takes on Anheuser-8 3’s Construction (4-6) at 7pm. The Titans will have an opportunity to snap their two-game skid as they battle current second place Bud Ice-SaipanCell Hoopaholics (8-2) in the second game.

Bud Light-Toyota 91—Van Buren 20, Renguul 15, Saralu 14, Rangamar 13, Camacho 12, Iginoef 9, Celes 8.

MARPAC-Nissan 81—Peters 18, Aguon 14, Joyner 13, P. Rasa 10, S. Rasa 7, Palacios 6, Wallace 5, Camacho 4, Fitial 2, Quitugua 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-23, 44-36, 68-66, 91-81.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Jess Pacheco.