PSS keeps streak going, CHC outplays Customs

The Public School System put on another lesson, while the Commonwealth Health Center operated well as action in the ongoing 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League continued Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

PSS remained as one of the four undefeated teams in the league as the educators had its way against the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Fire Dawgs, 88-74.

Taking the lead role again for PSS was sniper Taj Van Buren, who buried a whopping nine triples and finished with a game-high 36 points.

The Fire Dawgs managed to keep pace with PSS in the opening period courtesy of the offensive play of Jerome Reyes, who fired half of the team’s production to help the ARFF close the quarter tied with their opponents, 16-16.

After pumping in just a field goal in the first 10 minutes, Van Buren caught fire and put on a shooting clinic as he drained five bombs from long distance and another field goal, while Gary Lashley worked for 10 points as PSS exploded for 32 points. Van Buren and company also limited ARFF to 19 points to head into the break with a comfortable 13-point spread, 48-35.

PSS continued to have the upper hand in the second half as Van Buren picked up where he left off and added another 11 points to his name to fuel a 23-18 run that resulted in PSS padding their lead to 18 points, 71-53.

High leaper Jawn Joyner tried to bring ARFF closer as he took over in the final 10 minutes of play and swooshed the net for 16 points. Despite Joyner’s performance, though, PSS was still able to hold on for win No. 3.

Lashley and Lawrence Buniag were strong in support for PSS with 15 and 12 points, while Joyner and Reyes led ARFF with 31 and 21 points.

Earlier, CHC outscored Customs in each of the four quarters to post an 86-53 lopsided victory.

Ken Kalen scored 13 of his team-high 17 points in the fourth stanza, while Tom Diaz and Tony Raho contributed 14 and 12 points for CHC. Richard “Doc” Brostrom and Joe Tudela also chipped in 11 points apiece.

Ray Lizama paced Customs with 19 points, while Rudy Guerrero had 12 points.

First Game
CHC 86 – Kalen 17, Diaz 14, Raho 12, Brostrom 11, J. Tudela 11, Culala 8, T. Tudela 7, Greiffen 4, Iglecias 2.
Customs 53 – R. Lizama 19, Guerrero 12, Pangelinan 6, D. Lizama 5, Torwal 5, D. Reyes 4, J. Reyes 2.
Scoring by quarters: 15-12, 34-23, 63-35, 86-53.
Referees: Arnold Mesa and Gilbert Espinosa.

Second Game
PSS 88 – Van Buren 36, Lashley 15, Buniag 12, Vollagomez 6, Jimeno 4, P. Mendiola 4, Gross 4, Rosaic 2, Duenas 2, Rayphand 2, F. Mendiola 1.
ARFF 74 – Joyner 31, Reyes 21, Diaz 11, Sablan 3, Sanchez 2, Torres 2, Mizutani 2, Cepeda 2.
Scoring by quarters: 16-16, 48-35, 71-53, 88-74.
Referees: Jess Pacheco and Eric Artillaga.