Aqua Resort cruises, Fiesta rallies in Mobil

Aqua Resort Club won its second straight while defending champion Fiesta Resort and Spa broke into the win column as action in the 6th Mobil Oil Marianas Co-ed Invitational Basketball League resumed Tuesday evening at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the opener, five Aqua Resort cagers finished in double figures and the team improved to 2-0 on the young season after cruising past Commonwealth Utilities Corp., 91-57.

It was a scoring duel in the opening quarter as Aqua Reosrt’s Eric Dalangin used his size advantage and muscled in 10 points, while CUC veteran Tony Diaz continued his strong return to the sport after sustaining an injury late last year with 10 points. Dalangin had more help, though, and Aqua led 23-14 at the sound of the period-ending buzzer.

CUC struggled in the second and added just 12 points to their corner, while allowing the Aqua Resort players to put the rock through the hoop for 21 points. As a result, Aqua Reosrt headed into the break ahead by 18 points, 44-26.

CUC was able to pull a bit closer in the third, leaning on the play of Diaz. The former national team player added another 11 points to his name and CUC was able to outscore their opponents, 18-15, and trailed by 15 points, 44-59.

Dalangin went back to work and got big help from the rest of the Aqua Resort cagers to secure the win.

Dalangin and guard Chris Domingo finished with 25 and 15 points to lead Aqua, while Diaz paced CUC with 30 points.

In the second game, Fiesta Resort rallied from 12 points down to beat Microl-Toyota, 88-83.

Fiesta got off to a strong start and built an eight-point lead to kick the game off, but Toyota responded with a run of its own and took the lead heading into the second period, 18-14.

Toyota continued to push the right buttons and even got Fiesta cagers in early foul trouble with their aggressive play in the paint. A balanced attack from seven cagers enabled the Toyota players to increase their lead to eight points, 46-38, at halftime.

Fiesta then had a big advantage with Toyota not having a cage belle to start the third period, and Mariko Okasaki penetrated for two baskets to cut the lead to four, 42-46.

Toyota all-star Connie Camacho then made an entry and worked hard for 11 points, but Fiesta was able to keep pace as Chris Adams spearheaded a strong push that kept the team within four after the end of the period, 65-69.

Determined to overcome their deficit, Fiesta put up a furious charge, took the lead, and held on courtesy of free throws by Elmer Esdrelon and Jess Nicdao.

Esdrelon and Adams led Fiesta with 20 and 18 points, while William Opone and Adonis Macoto added 13 and 11 points.

Elbyn Cecilia led Toyota with 19 points, while James Abuy and Camacho finished with 14 and 11 points.

First Game

ARC 91 – Dalangin 25, Domingo 15, Barbo 11, Ragulof 11, Carasig 11, Johanes 6, Cortez 4, Bojocan 4, Alcantara 2.

CUC 57 – Diaz 30, Norita 7, Dela Cruz 4, Dikito 4, Tagabuel 4, Poquiz 4, Marchadesch 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-14, 44-26, 59-44, 91-57.

Second Game

Fiesta 88 – Esdrelon 20, Adams 18, Opone 13, Macoto 11, Okasaki 8, Alegre 7, Seman 5, Nicdao 3, Carino 2.

Toyota 83 – Cecilia 19, Abuy 14, Camacho 11, M. Mendoza 8, De Dios 8, Factor 7, J. Mendoza 4, De Guzman 3, Rangamar 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-18, 38-46, 65-69, 88-83.