Ol’Aces, GEC advance to Final Four

Ol’Aces and GEC Pawnshop advanced to the semifinals of the Inaugural FMI Inter-Color Basketball League’s open division after subduing their respective opponents Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the first game, Ol’Aces buried Price Costco under an avalanche of points from the opening tip until the final buzzer to win by an eye-popping 84 points, 159-75.

Scoring machines Freddie Pelisamen and Pete Iguel led Ol’Aces in the demolition of Price Costco, exploding for 45 and 30 points, respectively.

Five other Oleai cagers finished in double figures, while Dave Sablan looked like the Lone Ranger all game long for the Wholesalers, firing 33 points in a losing cause.

In the second game, GEC Pawnshop held back repeated rallies by SMF Seabridge to win 105-94.

Seabridge came out firing and led 24-22 after one, but the Pawnbrokers overtook them beginning in the second frame and didn’t let go, leading 53-46 at the half and 83-69 after three quarters of play.

Forwards Koy Bernardo and Leo Itaas tried to prime Seabridge for one more comeback attempt in the final 10 minutes, but their uprising was foiled as GEC Pawnshop power forward Peter Camacho knocked down 13 of his own in the payoff period to preserve his team’s lead.

Camacho led GEC with 23 points, while Manuel Ajoste and Molly Cacho added 18 and 15 markers, respectively.

Bernardo and sharpshooter Sonny Lerio paced Seabridge in the loss, combing for 50 points.

The FMI league continues tonight with Bank of Saipan taking on GEC Pawnshop 40s in the masters division beginning at 6:30pm. It will be followed by the 8pm semis game in the open division between pennant champion Advance X-Terminators and Tasi Tours.

First Game

Ol’Aces 159 – Pelisamen 45, P. Iguel 30, Rabauliman 19, Diaz 18, L. Iguel 17, Cruz 15, Camacho 13, Rangamar 3.

Price Costco 75 – D. Sablan 33, Lauron 16, Irinaka 12, Alfonso 7, Valencia 5, J. Sablan 2.

Scoring by quarters: 36-20, 68-45, 119-63, 159-75.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Gilbert Espinosa.

Second Game

GEC Pawnshop 105 – P. Camacho 23, Ajoste 18, Cacho 15, Palero 13, Umali 10, Wallace 9, Wesley 7, Olaitiman 6, B. Camacho 4.

SMF Seabridge 94 – Bernardo 27, Lerio 23, Itaas 17, Demegillo 6, Mortos 4, Jugos 4, Galvez 4, Manansala 3.

Scoring by quarters: 22-24, 53-46, 83-69, 105-94.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Gilbert Espinosa.