Matt Duenas drew 21 points, JR Ngeskebei added 13, and Jhun Alipio scored eight to lift Jhem’s, 68-63 past GEC-Koblerville.
Team GEC’s five-point advantage slowly burned away after allowing 28 points in the last 10 minutes.
Duenas led the offense on a shooting spree, notching 14 points alone. Ngeskebei slid past Luther Taylor for a reverse layup, returned for a jump shot, and shot both his free throws to add six points.
GEC, which heavily depended on Melvin Cadiang and Kevin Deleon, couldn’t pick up the pace despite a 36-23 lead in the first half. Both players scored no baskets during the third period and mustered 11 of GEC’s last 18 points.
Meanwhile, team Jhems’ entire roster entered the scoreboard with Manny Duenas landing six points and Rodney Catalla earning five.
The MDX league will host 16 teams this season and games are scheduled every weekend at the Civic Center court.
Other teams include: Armatech-Susupe, Fong’s Bakery-Chalan Kanoa, Chow Queen-As Lito, Saints-San Vicente, Blue Haus-Gualo Rai, Hawaiian Mawati Rock-Dandan, Destroyers 2011-Kagman, Bud Brothers-San Antonio, Aon Insurance-Chalan Laulau, Pacific Postal-Chalan Kiya, B’Boys-As Perdido, Morales-San Roque, Joeten Superstore-San Jose, and Yalung-Navy Hill.
Scores:
Jhem’s Restaurant-Garapan 68 – M. Duenas 21, J. Ngeskebei 13, J. Alipio 8, M. Duenas 6, R. Catalla 5, B. Montano 4, J. Tengco 3, Alejandro 2, C. Camacho 2, J. Bello 2, M. Surima 2
GEC-Koblerville 63 – M. Cadiang 22, K. De Leon 13, L. Taylor 10, Del Rosario 8, Chan 6, Jung 4
Quarterscores: 17-12, 36-23, 45-40, 63-68
