Northern Marianas College will not repeat as champions of the 2004 Government Basketball League.<\/p>\n
The Proas\u2019 campaign to defend their 2003 title came to an abrupt end Monday evening when the Department of Public Safety II eliminated them from the playoffs with a 102-95 victory in the second game of the doubleheader at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.<\/p>\n
Down by as much as 10 points in the fourth quarter, NMC came charging back and last threatened at 86-90 with time down to 2:13, on a triple by Jester Garcia and a 3-point play by Tony Diaz.<\/p>\n
But DPS II slammed the door shut on NMC on consecutive layups by forwards Carl Hocog and Ed Manalili.<\/p>\n
A nifty lay in by Ed Diaz, following a steal on NMC\u2019s backcourt, would reestablish a 96-86 lead for DPS II, and for all intents and purpose, sealed the win with 1:29 left in the ballgame.<\/p>\n
NMC entered the game as the No. 6 seed, but it didn\u2019t seem that way throughout the course of ballgame as DPS II, the seventh seed, led from wire to wire. They took the first quarter, 23-18; the second, 48-36; and the third, 67-62.<\/p>\n
DPS II especially got into a roll against a tiring NMC team, which suited up only seven players two of whom\u2014Garcia and Tony Satur\u2014were coming off games in the fast pitch league.<\/p>\n
With NMC players dragging their feet, their opponents established as much as a 12-point lead, when a deuce by Norita made it 85-73 with a little over five minutes left in the contest.<\/p>\n
Jerry Ayuyu brilliantly quarterbacked his team and paced DPS II with 32 points. Diaz wound up with 25, while Norita and Hocog added 21 and 14, respectively.<\/p>\n
Tony Diaz fired 41 points in the loss, while Garcia and defensive specialist Jerry Diaz pumped in 25 and 11.<\/p>\n
In the first game, Department of Labor exploited the absence of human pogo stick Jawn Joyner to rout Commonwealth Ports Authority to the tune of 101-67.<\/p>\n
With their leading rebounder and shot-blocker out, CPA was powerless to stop the bruising frontline duo of Tim Wesley and Steve Rasa, who combined for 56 points to lead DOL.<\/p>\n
Edgar Pangelinan played like the Lone Ranger for CPA, scoring 31 points in the loss. No other CPA player finished in double figures.<\/p>\n
The government league resumes tonight with Department of Community and Cultural Affairs taking on Office of Public Auditor in the 6:30pm first game and DPS I facing Commonwealth Health Center in the 8pm second game.<\/p>\n
First Game<\/p>\n
DOL 101 \u2013 Wesley 29, Rasa 27, Poquiz 13, Ayuyu 8, Sablan 8, Aaron 7, Roberto 5, Tudela 4.<\/p>\n
CPA 67 \u2013 Pangilinan 31, Muna 7, Tagabuel 7, Salas 6, Elisar 5, Sablan 4.<\/p>\n
Scoring by quarters: 21-19, 44-38, 74-50, 101-74.<\/p>\n
Referees: Jess Pacheco and Noel Delos Santos.<\/p>\n
Second Game<\/p>\n
DPS II 102 \u2013 Ayuyu 32, Diaz 25, Norita 21, Hocog 14, Manalili 10.<\/p>\n
NMC 95 \u2013 T. Diaz 41, Garcia 25, J. Diaz 11, John 7, MacDuff 4, Castro 4.<\/p>\n
Scoring by quarters: 23-18, 48-36, 67-62, 102-95.<\/p>\n
Referees: Mike White and Dado Vistal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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