RNV edged the CNMI 76-75 in the 2021 Islandwide Men’s Bud Light Basketball League last week on Tinian.
RNV got their offensive rhythm going early thanks to Udaundo acting as the spark plug and contributing eight points.
Teammates Bungabong and Laoyon, for their part, chipped in four points apiece to put their team ahead 23-15 in the first quarter.
But RNV fell into a slump in the second canto, giving the CNMI a chance to catch up. The CNMI’s Maligson and Borja used the three-point to their advantage with a bucket each while Lizama and Borja added a few more to cut down RNV’s lead, 34-37.
In the third quarter, Maligson continued to deliver, scoring 12 points including two triples while Borja’s nine points allowed their team to take the lead for the first time.
RNV could not get out of the gutter and found themselves trailing, 55-61.
But then RNV managed to stage a stunning comeback.
Slowly but surely, RNV closed the gap with Borca in the frontline, scoring eight points. The CNMI tried to hold on as Maligson and Borja continued to produce points, but RNV equalized with the help of Laoyon and Bangabong’s five points each to outscore the CNMI, 76-75.
CNMI vs SMA Flyers
The CNMI, however, were able to redeem themselves against the SMA Flyers on Wednesday.
The Flyers seized control of the opening quarter as Doria took the spotlight by scoring 12 points while the rest of the team stepped up in the following canto to give SMA the lead, 38-37.
But in the second half, the CNMI’s D. Borja ignited, scoring 14 points to aid in his team’s 29-17 run. Their lead only grew larger as A. Borja found his stroke from behind the three-point line with four shots in a row as the CNMI brought down the SMA Flyers 99-74.
Team RNV
Team CNMI
