Hawaiian Rock notches second straight win

Players of Hawaiian Rock pose for a photo during the opening of the Emon Lodge caging mid this month at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. Hawaiian Rock bagged its second consecutive win in the masters league after downing Degree, 76-66, last Wednesday night. (Contributed Photo)

Hawaiian Rock turned the tables on Degree in the second half to start a streak in the seven-team league after dropping its opener to Blue Haus, 79-86, last July 14. Hawaiian Rock bounced back from its debut loss with a close 76-74 win over PIC Chefs last July 21.

Facing an 11-point deficit at the end of the first half, Hawaiian Rock clawed its way back into the game with a 32-point explosion in the third quarter. Hawaiian Rock more than doubled Degree’s production in the crucial third period to grab the driver’s seat, 59-53. Robert Guiang fired up Hawaiian Rock’s rally in the third frame, scoring 11 points. He also drew enough support Jack Palacios and Ronald Abaygar, who combined for 13 markers in the third-quarter push with the latter finishing what Guiang started, drilling Hawaiian Rock’s last four markers in that canto.

Guiang and Abaygar continued to play beautiful music together to help Hawaiian Rock keep the upper hand in the fourth quarter, while Degree had limited option on offense, nailing its lowest output in a period in the final canto with its 13 markers. Degree had only five field goals in the payoff quarter, failing to gain its momentum back after dominating the first half.

Degree controlled the 20 minutes of play, as it got off to a good start, taking an 18-10 lead in the first period. Three Degree players converted two field goals each to pace Hawaiian Rock. Bobby Geli was one of them and he played even better in the second quarter, adding nine more points to stretch Degree’s advantage to twin digits at the break, 38-27. Alex Ocampo chipped in six in the second canto to finish the half with 10 markers.

Ocampo and Geli then went cold in the third period, as they were both scoreless, while Guiang took over for Hawaiian Rock and later got help from his teammates to steal the win from Degree. Degree remained winless after two games.

Meanwhile, PIC Chefs barged into the win column after a 0-2 start, following a victory via forfeiture against I Love Saipan in the second game last Wednesday.

Hawaiian Rock 76 – Guiang 19, Abaygar 12, Palacios 11, Tiples 10, Dela Cruz 8, Lopez 6, Tengco 4, Saplan 2, Mateo 2.

Degree 66 – Ocampo 15, Geli 13, Sampang 10, Surima 8, Drillon 6, Catungal 6, Jacob 3.

Scoring by quarters: 10-18, 27-38, 59-53, 76-66.