GEC is co-leader in masters, Giants upset Shirley’s

GEC Pawnshop drew level with pacesetter Taga Warriors in the masters division after nipping CTSI Pacers, 99-81, last Sunday in the continuation of the Inaugural FMI Inter-Color Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

It was the sixth win in eight games for the Pawn Brokers, who had to erase an early deficit and fend off a pesky CTSI Pacers team at crunchtime.

In other masters game, Bank of Saipan pounced on a manpower-challenged Fixers team, 86-71, to level its win-loss card to 4-4.

Two other games in the open division were also played last Sunday with Tasi Tours Giants scoring a 104-100 upset of Shirley’s Coffee Shop/Blue House and Star Water getting the better of MIGS, 90-81, in the battle of winless teams.

Drawing 12 points from Ariel Jinang, CTSI Pacers took the early advantage and led 21-13 after the first quarter against GEC Pawnshop.

The Pawn Brokers, however, hunkered down to work after that, as Molly Cacho and Abel Villafuerte combined for 14 points to help the team take a candlestick 42-41 lead at the break.

It was a seesaw battle in the third with both teams exchanging the lead. But CTSI Pacers had the last say and took a 61-60 advantage heading into the fourth and final quarter.

In the payoff period, Sonny Ranola waxed hot from the outside as he almost single-handedly towed GEC Pawnshop to victory with his 15-point fourth quarter explosion.

Jinang, Adonis Macoto, and Edel Carino tried to swing favor back to CTSI Pacers but their efforts fell short as their team absorbed its fifth loss in eight games.

Cacho led all scorers with 35 markers, while Ranola added 18. Jinang and Tobias scored 27 and 23, respectively, in the loss.

Tasi Tours, meanwhile, controlled the fast-breaking Shirley’s team in the final 10 minutes despite trailing in the first three quarters of the contest.

Ranola again shown in the win, as he fired another 15 points in the fourth quarter to help the Giants tie their victims at 5-3 in the open division standings.

Ranola paced Tasi Tours with 33 with Ehroll Peredo adding 31. Elmer Esdrelon tossed in 21 in the setback, while Ryan Sanciangco and Darwin Barbo chipped in 17 apiece.
[B] First Game[/B]

GEC Pawnshop 91 – Cacho 35, Ranola 18, Viola 7, Peleno 7, Casabuena 6, Villafuerte 6, Buenabajo 4, Olivos 4, Peredo 4.

CTSI Pacers 88 – Jinang 27, Macoto 23, Tobias 15, Carino 13, Alejandro 8, Solidum 2.

Scoring by quarters: 13-21, 42-41, 60-61, 91-88.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Eric Artillaga.
[B] Second Game[/B]

Bank of Saipan 86 – Ocampo 31, Delos Santos 16, Gatdula 16, Tiples 12, Villegas 8, Lopez 2, Mamuta 1.

Fixers 71 – Dela Torre 24, Delfin 14, Villasan 10, Poquiz 9, Garcia 7, Castanares 7.

Scoring by quarters: 18-16, 39-38, 59-50, 86-71.

Referees: Jess Pabula and Gilbert Espinosa.

Tasi Tours Giants 104 – Ranola 33, E. Peredo 31, Aquino 12, Factor 12, R. Peredo 5, Joyner 5, Talania 4, De Belen 2.

Shirley’s Coffee Shop/Blue House 100 – Esdrelon 21, Sanciangco 17, Barbo 17, Santos 12, Guiab 7, Mercurio 6, Rasa 6, Marasigan 6, Manibusan 4, Camacho 2.

Scoring by quarters: 28-30, 45-50, 71-76, 104-100.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Gilbert Espinosa.

Star Water 90 – Samson 24, Gapor 18, Lopez 14, Rapanut 14, Mateo 12, Villasan 8.

MIGS 81 – Dela Rama 30, Cabaddu 16, Poquiz 10, Macoto 9, Quemado 8, Cadagat 4, Salvani 3, Doronila 1.

Scoring by quarters: 21-20, 46-41, 63-65, 90-81.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Noel Delos Santos.