Quichocho Law Office snaps skid

Quichocho Law Office withstood CNMI Nationals’ gallant stand and eked out an 87-80 win during their game in the 2008-2009 BANMI/Budweiser Basketball League Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Quichocho went 6-for-8 from the foul line in the last 58.7 seconds of the game to finally thwart the hard-fighting Nationals.

Despite missing key players Jericho Cruz and Marvin Rabauliman, the Nationals kept pace with Quichocho Law Office and threatened the eventual winners on several occasions.

The last time was at the 80-81 tally after James Camacho and Jayvan Tarkong teamed up in a short 7-0 run.

Camacho scored five straight points making two free throws and a triple from the right baseline to cut the lead to three, 78-81, with 1:03 left in the fourth quarter.

The CNMI Nationals played pressure defense in the backcourt, rattling Quichocho’s inbound passer. The Nationals eventually stole the ball with Tarkong intercepting a midcourt pass and driving coast-to-coast for a layup to move his team within one, 80-81, with 58. 7 second remaining on the clock.

Sonny Lerio gave Quichocho a breather when he went 2-for-2 from the foul line after a preemptive foul from the CNMI Nationals.

The CNMI Nationals’ chances to steal the game disappeared after two botched plays. Keoni Chariton missed a baseline jumper, while Quincy Johnson muffed an undergoal stab.

Quichocho Law Office answered with two free throws from Lerio and one each from Cadagat and Jun Pantaleon to seal the win.

Quichocho improved to a 2-2 record and ended its two-game losing skid.

Cruz missed the CNMI Nationals’ fourth game due to a flu. He played for Marianas High School in the MISO caging a few hours before the Budweiser competition, but saw limited minutes. Rabauliman also played for the Dolphins in the MISO caging, but was also sick and could not make it to the Nationals’ game, as he was too tired after the MHS-KHS tiff went into overtime.

The Nationals dropped to a 3-1 record.

In the first game, IT&E took the solo lead after a 105-98 win over the Diamond Auto Fixers.

IT&E now has a 4-1 record, while the Fixers are still winless in three games.
[B] First Game

IT&E 105[/B] – Estolas 18, Bernardo 16, Mendoza 14, Abuel 13, Ranola 11, Mendiola 10, De Guzman 6, Artates 4, De Dios 4, De Vero 4, Ruluked 4, Montano 1.
[B] Diamond Auto Fixers 98[/B] – Muleta 24, Esdrelon 20, Marasigan 14, Peredo 14, Talania 12, Camacho 10, Dayrit 4.

Quichocho Law Office 87[/B] – Cadagat 26, Lerio 15, Mendoza 13, Moises 8, Itaas 5, Tagle 4, Umali 4, Palero 3, Capalad 2, Pantaleon 1.
[B] CNMI Nationals 80[/B] – Iguel 19, Tumaquip 18, Tarkong 15, Chariton 11, Moses 11, Camacho 9, Johnson 1, White 1.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 11-17, 33-31, 61-51, 87-80.