By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE Ol’Aces grabbed a share of the lead in the SAIPANCELL/BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League after beating the Garapan Rollers, 70-57, last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
The Ol’Aces improved to a 2-0 record tying the Cyclones on top of the team standings. The Cyclones were playing 670 yesterday hoping to gain the solo lead.
Former NMI Men’s National team member Freddie Pelisamen was in his usual offensive game hitting 32 points. Tinian’s Ringo Reyes was the other Ol’Aces player to score in double figures, as he nailed 11 points.
As Pelisamen took charge in offense, Reyes anchored the Ol’Aces defense swatting a couple of shots, grabbing rebounds and intimidating G-Rollers players in the paint.
Reyes and Pelisamen combined for 14 of the Ol’Aces 17 points in the first quarter to put their team in the lead, 17-9.
Pelisamen slowed down in the second scoring only two free throws, but the G-Rollers failed to capitalize on his silence, as coach Joe Diaz’s wards continued to struggle offensively, firing only 10 markers in that period.
At halftime, the Ol’Aces still led, 28-19, and increased their lead to 23, 57-34, entering the final canto, as Pelisamen exploded for 15 points in the third quarter.
The Ol’Aces never looked back from thereon posting their back-to-back wins. The Ol’Aces won their debut against the Cholos, 67-64, on March 31.
In other games, the Cholos recovered with a 77-51 rout of Ghasias, while the G-Stars entered the win column after downing the NYBA Stars, 73-59.
Jericho Cruz led the G-Stars triumph scoring 29 points
The G-Stars-NYBA Stars game was close in the first half, until Cruz led the former’s breakaway in the third period.
The NYBA Stars led by one at the end of the first quarter, 14-13, but the Stars grabbed the driver’s seat in the second period, 26-25.
Cruz drilled 14 of his total points in the third quarter to give the G-Stars a 54-39 lead.
It was an easy cruise for the G-Stars from thereon and they improved to a 1-1 slate after losing their first game against the Hoopaholics.
The Cholos leaned on their balanced offense to nail a 24-point win.
Leroy Sablan led all scorers with 23 points, while his three teammates also scored in double figures with Pedro Lizama and Syl Teregeyo firing 18 and 17 markers, respectively. Denard Norita added 10.
Marvin Rabauliman was the lone double figure scorer for Ghasias with 22.
Scores:
First Game
Cholos 77—Sablan 23, P. Lizama 18, Teregeyo 18, Norita 10, J. Lizama 7, Kapileo 2, M. Fitial 2.
Ghasias 51—Rabauliman 22, V. Taisacan 8, I. Kaipat 8, J. Kaipat 5, Taimanglo 2.
Quarterscores: 20-17, 34-23, 69-32, 77-51
Second Game
Ol’Aces 70—Pelisamen 32, R. Reyes 11, Dillay 8, Iguel 6, Ngeskebei 4, Magofna 2 Deleon Guerrero 2, Evangelista 2, L. Rangamar 1.
G-Rollers 57—D. Teregeyo 15, Iguel 13, V. Teregeyo 8, Matagolai 7, Olaitiman 6, Omar 2, Norita 2, De Vero 2.
Quarterscores: 17-9, 28-19, 57-34, 70-57
Third Game
G-Stars 73—Cruz 29, Jung 11, Aldan 6, Jom. Tumaquip 6, Diaz 6, Ada 5, Ro. Salas 5, Tellei 3.
NYBA Stars 59—Palacios 10, Mateo 9, Sablan 9, Reyes 7, J. Concepcion 7, Ogumoro 4, Camacho 4, Tudela 4, A. Santos 2, J. Santos 2.
Quarterscores: 13-14, 26-25, 54-39, 73-59