Titans storm back to level series

The MARPAC-Nissan Titans steamrolled back into the 2005 Budweiser Cup BANMI Men’s Island-wide Basketball League championship series, leveling the contest and forcing a do-or-die finale with a 104-94 victory over two-time defending champion Bud Light-Toyota Tundra Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

With the memory of their Game 1 loss still fresh in their minds, the Titans entered the court with vengeance in mind and opened with a furious charge to grab the early advantage.

Former national player Steve Rasa was feeling it early on and launched two triples while pumping in 10 points and Jawn Joyner knocked in three straight baskets as the Titans jump-started their campaign with a 28-18 first quarter run.

The Titans were hungry for more and continued to distance themselves by controlling the second quarter. Rasa ignited their push with a bucket and another triple to start the run and guard Aleric Aguon joined the spree with nine points of his own as Nissan remained on track, stretched their lead, and headed into the break with a comfortable 17-point spread, 54-37.

The Titans upped their lead to 19 points when Joyner opened the second half with a layup, but the comfort zone was short lived as Toyota came storming back. Taj Van Buren buried a three, then completed a three-point play under the basket before Romeo Iginoef hit two free throws for an 8-0 run that brought the score to 45-56.

Aguon then came up with a big steal and rolled in for a layup, and the two teams traded baskets before two free throws by Edsel Mendoza pulled Toyota to within eight points, 56-64, with 4:30 left in the period. Joyner then responded with another bucket, and Abong Camacho and Junior Renguul scored consecutive points to pull Toyota to within six points, 60-66.

The Titans, however, came up with big plays in the closing minutes of the quarter as Andres Estolas, Aguon, and Joyner came through to spearhead a13-6 run as the Titans regained their double- digit lead just in time for the start of the fourth quarter, 79-66.

The Titans held their 13-point lead for the first three minutes of the payoff period until a putback by Camacho brought Toyota to within nine points, 76-85.

Joyner put up a quick response for an 87-76 lead, but another triple by Van Buren and a free throw by Camacho dropped the lead to seven points, 80-87 with 4:41 left.

The Titans, who were now playing without forward Tim Wesley after he was whistled for his fifth foul, weren’t rattled as Joyner came through again with a tip in, 89-82. Camacho and Titans center Kelvin Fitial then traded baskets and Van Buren hit a free throw for a 91-83 score with 2:50 remaining.

Rasa then broke back into the scoring action as he spotted up in the corner and swooshed a triple despite being fouled for a 94-83 lead. Rasa missed the free throw and Toyota hit two straight shots to close the gap again, 87-94.

Toyota playmaker Elias Rangamar was then whistled for his fifth foul, but Toyota remained close courtesy of missed free throws by the Titans to claw to within six points, 92-98, when Camacho was fouled by Rasa and hit two free throws with 53 seconds left. Rasa fouled out in the play, but the Titans were still in solid position as Estolas connected on two charity shots for a 100-92 lead. Camacho hit another bucket and the Titans responded with a basket by Fitial before Ponce Rasa soared in for an open court layup with 1.2 ticks remaining to seal the deal.

Intensity and physical play was at a high level as both teams played their hearts out for respectable performances. In all, 52 fouls were called, with the Titans whistled for 27 and Toyota for 25.

Joyner led the Titans with 21 points, while Steve Rasa and Aguon finished with 20 and 19 points. Fitial and Estolas also added 18 and 12 points.

Camacho led Toyota with a game-high 36 points, while Van Buren and Mendoza contributed 13 and 10 points.

All the marbles will be on the line as the two teams meet again tonight at 7pm for the title. The victor gets the championship, a year’s worth of bragging rights, and $1,000. The loser will receive $500.

MARPAC-Titans 104 – Joyner 21, S. Rasa 20, Aguon 19, Fitial 18, Estolas 12, P. Rasa 8, Wesley 2, Peters 2, Deleon Guerrero 2.
Bud Light-Tundra 94 – Camacho 36, Van Buren 13, Mendoza 10, Renguul 9, Rangamar 8, Iginoef 6, Celes 6, Saralu 3, Pua 3.
Scoring by quarters: 28-18, 54-37, 79-66, 104-94.
Referees: Dado Vistal, Noel Delos Santos and Arnold Mesa.