Tinian, CHC survive close shaves

Tinian stunned defending champion No Zone, while the Commonwealth Health Center notched its fifth win of the season as action in the ongoing 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League continued Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The opener was a thriller as Tinian and No Zone were neck and neck for most parts of the game, with Tinian barely holding on for their second win in five tries, 91-90.

Both teams matched each other well in the opening period as No Zone led by just two points, 20-18, at the sound of the period-ending buzzer.

Tinian was able to return the favor in the second quarter, scoring a field goal better than their opponents to level the game at 41-41 at the break.

The Tinian cagers managed to carry the momentum over to the second half as they improved on their offensive attack and lit up the scoreboard for 27 points. Tinian headed into the final period ahead by five points, 68-63.

The No Zone players were not about to hand the win to Tinian on a silver platter though as they remained determined and began to work their way closer. Carl Hocog buried consecutive triples and Ed Diaz followed with a bucket and a bomb of his own to put No Zone in better shape, but their efforts came to no avail as Tinian managed to hold on for the one-point victory.

John Santos led Tinian with 25 points, while Jess Manibusan and Peter Manglona added 19 and 12 points.

John Sablan paced No Zone with 24 points, while Diaz and Hocog finished with 19 and 17 points.

In the second game, CHC headed into the fourth quarter trailing by seven points, but clawed their way back and defeated Northern Marianas College Proa, 74-73. Tony Raho led CHC with 15 points, while Jester Garcia paced NMC with 17 points.

First Game
Tinian 91 – Santos 25, Manibusan 19, Manglona 12, Pascua 9, A. Borja 9, Reyes 7, R. Borja 6, Sablan 2, Cruz 2.
No Zone 90 – Sablan 24, E. Diaz 19, Hocog 17, J. Diaz 16, Norita 6, Ayuyu 4, Palacios 4.
Scoring by quarters: 18-20, 41-41, 68-63, 91-90.
Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game
CHC 74 – Raho 15, Diaz 14, Kimdipan 13, Iglecias 9, Griffin 8, Kalen 5, Siedler 4, Borja 4, Yarofalir 2.
NMC 73 – Garcia 17, Masga 12, John 11, Roberto 10, Castro 9, Aldan 8, Aguon 6.
Scoring by quarters: 16-15, 38-39, 54-61, 74-73.
Referees: Mike White and Jess Pabula.