By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

HI-FIVE handed 670 its second loss in the SAIPANCELL/BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League after cruising to a 90-76 victory last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
The win was Hi-Five’s first win after losing its debut to the Cyclones, 53-69, in the league opener on March 25, while 670 suffered back-to-back defeats after bowing to the Southern Sonics in its first match, 64-83.
Kevin Cequena led all scorers with his 32 points. His baskets in the fourth quarter foiled 670’s repeated comeback bids.
After taking a 42-32 halftime lead, Hi-Five was threatened in the third quarter, as 670 cut the lead to two, 57-59, entering the final period.
James Camacho, Zack and Dane Diaz and Frank Blas joined forces in helping 670 recover in the third canto.
Blas had eight points in the third period and Zack, Dane and Camacho combined for 15 points to move within two.
But Cequena saved the day for Hi-Five. After nailing only three points in the third quarter, Cequena hit 14 points in the fourth period to thwart 670’s comeback bid.
Jeff Pagarao also scored important points in the payoff canto, firing six of his 12 points in that period.
Cequena led Hi-Five’s strong start drilling 10 points to give his team a 26-13 advantage. The Hi-Five buried two 3-pointers and added eight points to keep his team in the driver’s seat at the end of the first half before 670 worked its way back into the game in the third quarter.
Blas scored 30 points for 670, while Camacho added 19 to fill the void left by Preston Basa on offense. Basa missed last Saturday’s game.
Meanwhile, there will be no games this weekend in observance of the Holy Week.
Scores:
Hi-Five 90—Cequena 32, Pagarao 12, Dela Cruz 10, Gapor 9, Mendez 5, Ajoste 4, Adelmo 3, Reyes 2, Manansala 2.
670 76—F. Blas 30, Camacho 19, Ulloa 8, Z. Diaz 8, D. Diaz 7, Celis 3.
Quarterscores: 26-13, 42-32, 50-57, 90-76