Fiesta holds on to beat Nikko

Fiesta Resort and Spa held off a late run by Hotel Nikko Saipan, while Pacific Islands Club dealt Hyatt Regency Saipan its first loss as action in the 2006 HANMI Cup Inter-Hotel Basketball League resumed Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

With about four minutes to go in the first game, Fiesta found itself comfortably ahead by double digits and seemed headed for a sure win.

But Nikko, which like Fiesta split its first two games, came storming back, and led by back-to-back strong drives by mammoth center Ronald Delos Reyes and a bank shot by Art Salazar, trimmed its deficit to just four points, 93-89, with a little over a minute to go in the contest.

After Fiesta coughed up the ball again in the next possession, Nikko appeared set to cut the lead further down to two points, but Adonis Macoto came to the rescue and swiped the ball clean from Salazar and his steal led to two rimless free throws by Elmer Esdrelon on the other end.

With less than 45 seconds to go, Nikko made a substitution that did not payoff as Francis Manalo sandwiched a free throw by Esdrelon with a wild layup and a turnover that effectively kissed his team’s chances of forcing overtime.

Fiesta led from wire-to-wire opening a 28-21 lead after the first quarter, before more than doubling that into a 58-43 spread at the break. The team still enjoyed a 79-70 advantage at the start of the fourth before Nikko made a late charge that proved too little, too late.

Center Roland Galag was named the game’s best player with 19 points, while Esdrelon and veteran gunslinger Ariel Jinang added 17 and 14, respectively.

Delos Reyes was unstoppable for Nikko and scored 33 points, hauled down 13 rebounds, and four assists.

In the second game, PIC scored the season’s first major upset when it defeated Hyatt 76-69.

Both teams exchanged leads after the first two quarters with PIC taking the first, 21-19, and Hyatt nursing a 41-39 lead at the half.

PIC then really got going in the third when the team outscored the erstwhile league leader, 23-19, as Hyatt hit a dry spell of sorts.

Hyatt played catch up in the fourth and final quarter, but all their uprisings were met with stiff resistance by a surprisingly composed PIC crew, which came into the game having dropped its first two matches against Fiesta and powerhouse Aqua Resort Club.

James Abuy led the way for PIC with 19 points and won best player honors. Raymond Tolentino backed him up with 11 markers, while three other players scored nine points apiece for the San Antonio landmark.

Edmark Mendoza, who was seen dunking during warm-ups, paced Hyatt in the loss with 23 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, and the same number of steals.

The HANMI Cup continues this evening with Saipan Grand Hotel taking on Marianas Resort in the first game, while Aqua Resort Club seeks its third straight win against Hafadai Beach Hotel in the second game.
[B] First Game[/B]

Fiesta Resort and Spa 96 – Galag 19, Esdrelon 17, Jinang 14, Alipala 11, Macoto 10, Carino 8, Villamena 5, Reyes 5, Mendoza 4, Tobias 2, David 1.

Hotel Nikko Saipan 89 – Delos Reyes 33, Fernandez 16, Pineda 15, Elayda 10, Salazar 7, Bansil 3, Manalo, Aquino 2.

Scoring by quarters: 28-21, 58-43, 79-70, 96-89.

Referees: Arnold Mesa, Abner Venus, and Eric Artillaga.
[B] Second Game[/B]

Pacific Islands Club 76 – Abuy 19, Tolentino 11, Pambid 9, Zapata 9, Bridgens 9, Apasan 6, Bartolo 5, Fernandez 4, Catacutan 4.

Hyatt Regency Saipan 69 – Mendoza 23, Aquino 12, Umali 10, Vargas 8, Arresa 7, Villamor 3, Tomokane 2, Calub 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-19, 39-41, 62-47, 76-69.

Referees: Gabriel White, Jess Pabula, and Gilbert Espinosa.