No Zone, NMC enter win column

Defending champion No Zone and the Northern Marianas College were successful in Wednesday night’s edition of the 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium as both teams jumped into the win column.

After dropping a tough opener against Department of Labor on opening night, No Zone shook off a rough start with a convincing 90-59 victory over Customs.

Ed Diaz, John Sablan, and Ned Norita each pumped in three buckets in the opening period, fueling an explosive 30-point start for No Zone, which enjoyed a 10-point spread after 10 minutes of action.

No Zone cooled off a bit and worked up only half of their first quarter production in the second stanza, but still managed to increase their lead as they held Customs in check and limited their opponents to eight points for a 45-28 lead at the break.

Things continued to go in No Zone’s favor as Diaz and Sablan returned to dominating form and lit up the scoreboard for a combined 17 points, helping No Zone pad its lead. No Zone didn’t move ahead by much as Customs also got into a rhythm and drilled in 21 points. Nonetheless, No Zone still held a commanding 21-point lead, 70-49, heading into the payoff period.

There was no trouble closing out the bout as No Zone doubled up on Customs, 20-10, for the final score.

Diaz sizzled for 23 points to lead No Zone, while Sablan and Jerry Ayuyu added 19 and 12 points. Norita also finished in double figures with 11 points.

Donny Fejeran led a balanced Customs attack with 14 points.

In the second, NMC and the Commonwealth Ports Authority-Airport Rescue Fire Fighting squads took each other to the limit in the down-the-wire match, with NMC pulling the right strings for an 81-75 victory.

CPA started out strong and led 15-10 early in the first quarter, but NMC responded with an 8-2 run to close the quarter up by a point, 18-17.

CPA got a big boost as slotman Jawn Joyner finally made an appearance and combined with Jerome Reyes to turn things around. Reyes, who had eight points in the first period, continued to shoot well. He and Joyner combined for all CPA’s 20 points, providing the ammunition needed to regain the lead, 37-32.

Tables turned again as NMC came storming back to start the second half. Kevin Castro drilled in a triple and made another field goal to ignite a 9-0 run, resulting in NMC taking a 41-37 lead.

CPA managed to recover and both teams ended up tied at 54-54 at the end of the period.

The two teams exchanged baskets to start the quarter and CPA was able to take a three-point lead, 71-68. That was the last time the team was in front as Joyner went down for an unknown reason and had to exit the game with 3:12 remaining. With the all-around cager out of their way, NMC players took advantage and kept CPA scoreless while dumping eight points for a 76-71 lead.

At that point, Joyner returned to action and quickly went to work as he drove the lane, drew a foul, and made both charity shots, 73-78, with 36.6 seconds left.

He made another field goal to cut the lead to three with 18 seconds remaining, but that was as close as CPA got as Jester Garcia nailed crucial free throws to seal the deal.

Garcia was on fire and finished with 32 points to lead NMC, while Kevin Aldan and Oscar Masga supported him with 15 points apiece.

Reyes and Joyner led CPA with 31 and 29 points.

First Game
No Zone 90 – Diaz 23, Jo. Sablan 19, Ayuyu 12, Norita 11, Palacios 9, Quitugua 6, Ja. Sablan 4, Pangelinan 4, Manalili 2.
Customs 59 – Fejeran 14, Sablan 6, Torwal 6, Masaharu 6, Lizama 5, Santos 5, Reyes 5, Arroyo 4, Guerrero 4, Pangelinan 4.
Scoring by quarters: 30-20, 45-28, 70-49, 90-59.
Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game
NMC 81 – Garcia 32, Aldan 15, Masga 15, Castro 9, MacDuff 2, John 2, Tomokane 2, Manglona 2, Attao 2.
CPA-ARFF 75 – Reyes 31, Joyner 29, Sablan 7, Sanchez 4, Uchel 4.
Scoring by quarters: 18-17, 32-37, 54-54, 81-75.
Referees: Mike White and Jess Pabula.