Saipan in the opening game of the Unified Basketball Association Men’s League last Tuesday at the Garapan Basketball Court.
Pelisamen who helped prolong each of Xterminators’ offensive against Noni Saipan by grabbing four rebounds finished with 23 points including two three-point shots.
Muleta who sank six penalty shots also helped keep the lead with his two three-pointers. He tallied a total of 22 points.
Gil Gapor scored 10 points and gave Xterminators much ball possessions with his seven rebounds.
Jun Estolas also helped control the offense with eight assists and put clamps on Noni Saipan’s offense with steals that allowed Pelisamen to complete fast breaks.
Kelvin Bernardo scored 15 of his 21 points to help Noni Saipan close-in in the second quarter. He also kept his eye on Pelisamen and foiled under-the-goal lay ups attempts three times.
Bernardo also dominated the center spots of both territories, grabbing 12 defensive rebounds and 11 offensive grabs for Noni Saipan.
Pelisamen succeeded a couple more fast breaks and Leo Factor blasted from behind the arc to pull Xterminators away again in the third period.
Sonny Lerio and Wowee Abuel helped Noni Saipan keep pace by firing three-pointers but Gapor and Muleta raced it away with two-pointers and the Xterminators hanged on to their lead by tightening the defense with half a minute remaining in the ball game.
Prospect 98, Trinity State 36
Perry Inos Jr. scored 14 points, Ryan Sanciangco had 13 points and Raymond Cadagat and Darwin Barbo added 12 to carry the Prospects too far away to rout Trinity State during the second game.
Barbo turned the game around with 11 defensive rebounds and a steal and caused three turn-overs to keep the Prospects afloat through out the ball game.
With Barbo and Mike Wright taking charge of the defense, Sanciangco and Pagarao kept themselves in midcourt and carried out perfect fast breaks.
Despite several out of bounds in the offense, the Prospects gained the control back with a total of 15 steals.
The Prospects never trailed and none of the players laid eggs on the bench.
Quincy Johnson focused on defense and set helped set the offensives by having four steals and five defensive rebounds.
Chris Paul added eight points and had seven rebounds.
Opening ceremony
The UBA League opening ceremony started on time with guests, sponsors and all the eight teams present.
UBA President James Lee thanked all everybody especially the Miller Lite, NTT Docomo Pacific and the team sponsors, Sablan Enterprise, New Fresh Market, Island Rent a Car, Noni Saipan, Cell Pro, Diamond Auto Care, Advance X Terminator and Prospect Unlimited.
Scores:
Xterminators 81 – F. Pelisamen 23, P. Muleta 22, G. Gapor 9, J. Estolas 8, L. Factor 6, G. Baitlon 5, B. Talania 5, K. Fitial 6.
Noni Saipan 77 – K. Bernardo 21, B. Demapan 14, W. Abuel 8, J. Tamayo 7, B. Batila 5, S. Lerio 5, D. Pantaleon 5, I. Devero 4, G. Aquino 2.
Quarterscores: 23-12, 38-35, 61-56, 81-77
Prospects 98 – P. Inos 14, R. Sanciangco 13, D. Barbo 12, R. Cadagat 12, E. Peredo 11, A. Lauron 6, E. Moises 6, M. Wright 4, D. Aughenbaugh 3, Q. Johnson 2.
Trinity State 36 – R. Hernandez 10, R. Herrera 7, E. Dulfo 5, J. Loste 5, R. Dimafelix 4, R. Guevarra 2, R. Valiente 2, F. Remilloza 1.
