PIC schools Docomo in business caging

Pacific Islands Club Saipan taught Docomo Pacific a thing or two about basketball in the lone game of Tuesday night’s opening of the 2015 Inter-Commercial Business Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Pacific Island Club’s Erick Dela Rosa, 8, goes for a layup in their opening game against Docomo Pacific in the 2015 Inter-Commercial Business Basketball League last Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

PIC used a strong first-quarter attack in cruising to a lopsided 122-52 victory against Docomo to send a strong message of its intention in claiming the title in the inaugural cage league.

Sam Roscow, Bart Demapan, and Jack Aranda combined for 21 points as PIC quickly zoomed to a 34-8 lead after 10 minutes of play and never looked back.

The game was so one-sided that PIC’s lead ballooned to 40 at the half and 55 after three quarters before settling for that 70-point winning margin.

PIC even enjoyed a whopping 24-8 edge in steals and 14-2 in assists while slightly ahead in rebounds, 34-28.

Seven PIC players finished in double figures with Ham Hambros leading the bunch with 21 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist, while James Abuy provided support with 19 markers, 4 steals, and 2 assists.

Roscow bullied his way inside to end up with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, while former Shirley’s Coffee Shop teammates Erick Dela Rosa and Sean Rabasto combined for 26 markers, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.

Darwin Barbo scattered 12 points to go with his 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and one steal, while Aranda tallied 11 markers, 2 rebounds and a game-high 6 steals.

Tony Diaz led Docomo’s losing cause with 28 points, while Jason Hayes was the only other Docomo player to finish in twin digits with 10 markers. R.J. Mendiola only scored 2 points but grabbed a team-high 7 rebounds.

Action continues today with Saipan Ice taking on JP World-Mobil in the 6:30pm opener, while IT&E takes on Marpac-Budweiser in the 8pm nightcap.

Matches next Tuesday, Feb. 10, will have the Public School System battling Saipan Stevedore in the 6:30pm first game, while PIC shoots for its second straight win when it takes on Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan at 8pm.

PIC 122 – Hambros 21, Abuy 19, Roscow 16, Dela Rosa 13, Rabasto 13, Barbo 12, Aranda 11, Demapan 9, Bartolo 4, Quitugua 4.

Docomo 52 – Diaz 28, Hayes 10, Sablan 4, Alvarez 2, Guerrero 2, Mendiola 2, Sanciangco 2.

Scoring by quarters: 34-8, 62-22, 93-38, 122-52.