Ol’Aces beat IT&E in 2OT

Ol’Aces showed poise in the last 26.7 seconds of the game to pull off a pulsating 128-125 double overtime win over IT&E in the 2008-2009 BANMI/Budweiser Basketball League Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

A big defensive stop and three free throws allowed Ol’Aces to wrap up the match that seemed had no ending, as neither team wanted to throw in the towel.

The game was tied for the last time at 125-all after Freddie Pelisamen drove to the middle against two IT&E defenders and pulled up for a floater with the ball bouncing back to the basket.

IT&E sued for time in the last 26.7 seconds of the second extension period hoping to set up a game-winning play.

Wowie Abuel inbounded the ball from the left sideline opposite IT&E’s bench and gave it to Estolas, who then spotted Gyles Ruluked at the baseline.

IT&E’s shooters could not get a quick look at the basket from outside against the Ol’Aces’ good perimeter defense, forcing Ruluked to bring the ball toward the right baseline.

With the 24-second shot clock wining down, Ruluked attacked at the baseline, but was shut down by Gabriel White and Jack Lizama.

Seeing traffic, Ruluked kicked the ball out to Peter Mendiola, who also tried to drive from the right wing, but lost his dribble with the ball heading to the baseline in front of IT&E’s bench.

Mendiola chased the ball and was able to bring it back to the court, but the possession went to the wrong hands with Elias Rangamar picking up the loose ball.

Rangamar then sprinted to their frontcourt and faked off Mendiola, who could not check his momentum and banged into the Ol’Aces shooter.

Rangamar was attempting from beyond the arc when he drew a foul from Mendiola and went 2-for-3 from the foul line to give the Ol’Aces a 127-125 lead, with 6.9 left on the clock.

After Rangamar made his third charity, IT&E called, time out, but failed to convert on its offensive play. Abuel missed a fallaway jumper against the outstretched arms of Rangamar, and Kae Bernardo was called for a foul against Romeo Iginoef in the rebound play.

Iginoef made the insurance first free throw and with 1.6 seconds left on the clock, intentionally missed his second charity. IT&E collared the rebound, but didn’t have enough time to put up a decent shot ending the team’s two-game winning streak.

In the second match, the CNMI Nationals notched their second win in as many games with an easy 79-59 triumph over the Diamond Auto Fixers.

Ol’Aces 128 –[/B] Pelisamen 49, Rangamar 17, Lizama 14, P. Camacho 12, Iginoef 11, White 9, Tudela 4, Van Buren 4, Renguul 2.
[B] IT&E 125[/B] – Estolas 26, Bernardo 24, Abuel 21, Ranola 18, Ruluked 17, Mendiola 4, Artates 4, De Guzman 4.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 25-18, 46-41, 72-71, 99-all, 114-all, 128-125.
[B] Second Game[/B] [B] CNMI Nationals 79[/B] – Tarkong 19, Iguel 18, Rabauliman 12, Cruz 11, Tumaquip 5, Camacho 4, Chariton 4, Johnson 2, Moses 2.