Diamond rallies past Docomo

Diamond Auto Care recovered from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to eke out an 84-78 victory over Docomo in the 2008-2009 BANMI/Budweiser Basketball League Friday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

A 15-2 run in a span of five minutes helped Diamond turn a 60-72 deficit to a 75-74 lead, going into the last one minute and 24 seconds of the fourth quarter. The Auto Fixers preserved the lead and took the win after canning six free throws in the remaining minute of the game.

Diamond was ahead, 78-75, and Docomo had a chance to tie the game when Ryan Sanciangco pulled up for a triple, missed the shot, and drew a foul from Brendo Talania, with 46.1 seconds left on the clock. But Sanciangco missed his first free throw before making the last two to cut the lead to one, 77-78.

Docomo’s Kelvin Fitial intentionally fouled Bruce Berline in Diamond’s next offensive set, hoping the Auto Fixers’ center would miss. But Docomo’s gamble did not pay off, as Berline calmly sank two pressure-packed charities, increasing Diamond’s lead to three, 80-77.

James Villacrusis missed a desperation three, but Fitial grabbed the offensive rebound and drew a foul on his way to the basket. Again, free throw woes sealed the doom for Docomo, as Fitial spit his charities.

In contrast, Diamond’s Talania and Pando Muleta both went 2-for-2 from the 15-foot line in the last 25 seconds of the match to complete a come-from-behind win.

Diamond now has a 6-5 record and will play its last game tomorrow against the Ol’Aces. Diamond, which had a 2-4 slate in the first round of the two-round robin regular season, is on a roll in the second round winning three straight games and four of the last five matches in that round.

Esdrelon top-scored for Diamond with 19 points, while Talania and Muleta chipped in 18 and 16 markers, respectively.

James Villacrusis nailed 27 points for Docomo, which dropped to a 4-7 slate.

In the second game, the CNMI Nationals downed IT&E, 89-86.

Marvin Rabauliman and Jericho Cruz fired 22 points each to lift the Nationals to a 9-2 record. The Nationals are still on top of the field and are guaranteed to take the No. 1 seeding in the playoffs. They are leading by two wins against IT&E, which dropped to a 7-5 slate.

The last four games in the regular season will determine the seedings of six other teams that will join the Nationals in the single-elimination playoffs. The Ol’Aces are in third place with a 6-4 slate, followed by Diamond (6-5), Quichocho Law Office (5-7), Docomo (4-7), and the Runnin’ Rebels (2-9).

Diamond 84 – Esdrelon 19, Talania 18, Muleta 16, Guiab 9, Berline 7, Joyner 7, Fernandez 4, Capalad 4.

Docomo 78 – Ja. Villacrusis 27, Sanciangco 21, Fitial 17, Paul 5, Lee 4, Palacios 2, Diaz 1, Jo. Villacrusis 1.

Scoring by quarters: 15-25, 36-40, 52-56, 84-78.

CNMI Nationals 89 – Rabauliman 22, Cruz 22, Johnson 15, Chariton 11, Tumaquip 9, White 6, Moses 4.

IT&E 86 – Bernardo 35, Abuel 14, De Dios 12, Ranola 8, Ruluked 7, Artates 6, Montano 4.

Scoring by quarters: 19-17, 31-25, 62-54, 89-86.