By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

LUTA grabbed a share of the lead, while the Department of Public Works/Procurement & Supply recovered following separate wins in the 2007 Inter-government Basketball League last Wednesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
Luta outgunned the Airport Police Firefighters, 99-88, in the first game while DPW/P&S topped the Legislature, 85-71, in the second match.
The win was Luta’s second in as many games putting them in the lead in Pool A tying NMC Proa, while DPW/P&S bounced back from its debut loss against the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs last Friday.
A balanced offense helped Luta gain back-to-back victories, as it had six players scoring in double figures.
Ben Pelisamen nailed 14 markers, Jake Celes chipped in 13 and Oscar Sablan and John P. added 12 apiece. Carl Hocog and Ken Kalen contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Luta was off to a hot start taking an eight-point lead at the end of the first quarter, 27-19. Tom Diaz, Elias Saralu and Celes drilled one triple apiece in the first period to give Luta a good start.
The Firedawgs played catch up from thereon with Jawn Joyner and Jerome Reyes leading them.
Joyner finished with 30 points, while Reyes had 24, but this was not enough as they drew little support from their teammates.
In contrast, Luta got contributions from every player it fielded in the game.
In the second game, Oscar Masga scored 21 points to improve DPW/P&S’s record to 1-1.
DPW/P&S led from the start to finish with Masga’s consistent scoring.
Three other DPW/P&S players helped their team’s cause with John Guerrero adding 18 points and Dave Camacho and Frank Iglecias chipping in 12 markers apiece.
The Lawmakers were still in the game down by only eight at the end of the third period, 48-56. But they lost steam in the final canto committing numerous turnovers and giving up easy layups.
At one point in the fourth quarter, Guerrero scored three straight uncontested layups, while Camacho made four easy jumpers, as the Lawmakers were a step slow coming back on defense.
Zack Diaz topscored for the Legislature with 24 points, but it was not enough to save his team from dropping to a 0-2 record.
Scores:
First Game
Luta 99—Pelimsan 14, Celes 13, Sablan 12, John P. 12, Hocog 11, Kalen 10, Saralu 9, Diaz 8, Mendiola 4, Barcinas 4, Calvo 2.
ARFF 88—Joyner 30, Reyes 24, C. Sablan 11, Mizutani 8, Duenas 4, Camacho 4, Cpeda 2, Aldan 2.
Quarterscores: 27-19, 48-40, 75-60, 99-88
Second Game
DPW/P&S 85—Masga 21, Guerrero 18, Iglesias 12, Camacho 12, Tudela 6, Atalig 5, G. Pangelinan 4, Takai 2, Torres 2.
Lawmakers 71—Z. Diaz 24, Olaitiman 15, Cabrera 10, Bermudes 9, Sanchez 7, Omar 2, J. Diaz 2.
Quarterscores: 16-13, 32-30, 56-48, 85-71