By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

HYATT had a third-quarter explosion en route to a 106-78 demolition of Marianas Resort & Spa last Thursday in the Saipan Grand Hotel in the 2006-2007 Inter-Hotel Basketball League/HANMI Cup at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
The win improved Hyatt’s record to 5-1 strengthening its hold to the No. 2 spot, a win behind league-leader Aqua Resort Club.
The loss was Marianas Resort’s fifth in six games putting the Marpi-based team in danger of elimination.
Marianas Resort played a decent first half keeping pace with Hyatt. With Roy Ocanada and Jaysan Gatdula hitting their marks, Marianas was down by only three at the end of he first quarter, 20-23.
Hyatt tried pulling away in the second quarter with Bernard Aquino and Krisgel Arreza leading the way scoring eight points apiece. But Marianas with Gatdula and Ocanada still making their shots stood its ground and kept Hyatt within striking distance at halftime, 42-51.
Aquino had seen enough in the first half and was determined to thwart a hard-fighting Marianas Resort, as he drilled 14 points in the third quarter. He led Hyatt in outgunning Marianas Resort in the third, 31-16, to open an 82-58 lead, entering the payoff period.
It was an easy cruise for Hyatt from thereon.
Aquino finished with 30 points. Dexter Dillay and Arreza chipped in 15 apiece, while Mark Mendoza had a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
In the second game, Saipan Grand Hotel ended its losing streak with a 106-95 triumph over Hafa Adai.
SGH, which lost three consecutive games, leaned on its balanced offense to survive Pete Iguel’ 41-point explosion.
Saipan Grand had five players scoring in double figures with Shan Seman topping the list with 28 points. Dindo Pablo contributed 19, Ferdie Dela Torre had 18 and William Opone and Raymond Grafil added 14 and 10 markers, respectively.
Michael Olaitiman was the only other Hafa Adai player scoring in double figures with 22.
With Hafa Adai failing to get contributions from its bench, the Garapan-based team dropped to a 1-4 slate.
First Game:
Hyatt 106—Aquino 30, Dillay 15, Arreza 15, Umali 10, Mendoza 10, , Yamamoto 3, Tomokane 2, Tolentino 2,
Marianas Resort 78—Ocanada 26, Gatdula 22, Usi 9, Sebastian 10, Meimban 5, Geva 4, Abagat 2.
Quarterscores: 23-20, 51-42, 82-58, 106-78.
Second Game
SGH 106—Seman 28, Pablo 19, Dela Torre 18, Opone 14, Grafil 10, Nunez 6, Bautista 4, Rabago 3, Ada 2, Licop 2.
Hafa Adai 95—Iguel 41, Olaitaman 22, Andal 9, Kapileo 8, Calayag 7, Gokesan 4, Alcober 2.
Quarterscores: 23-29, 54-45, 73-72, 106-95.