TEAM Marianas on Tuesday outhustled Lakay, 77-58, at the Civic Center in game two to force a rubber match in their Saipan Centennial Lions Club Basketball League’s best-of-three championship series.
In the opening quarter, Marianas focused on speed to create buckets. With great ball movement and positioning, Dela Cruz, Sablan, Deleon Guerrero and Augenbaugh found the bottom of the net, chipping in two points each while team mate Santos delivered five, including a three-pointer, for a 14-11 lead.
And thanks to Marianas’ lock-down defense, Lakay could only score four points in the first six minutes of the second canto.
Lakay then called for a timeout and returned to the court with new found energy.
Lakay’s Capalad sank a three-pointer while Escano, Palacios, Quan and Rabauliman followed suit to turn the tide against Marianas and take the lead, 27-25.
The battle for control was intense in the third quarter which saw several lead exchanges.
Lakay’s Basa, who was cold from beyond the arc in the first two quarters, scored his first bucket but this was quickly answered with a triple by Marianas’ Dela Cruz.
Marianas’ ball movement continued to work in their favor on offense as they pushed a two-possession lead, but Lakay matched up defensively and turned each successful stop into an offensive finish on the other end to regain the advantage, 42-41.
In the final quarter, Marianas’ full-court press was the game-changer as they completely shut down Lakay’s offense and forced turnovers.
In addition, Marianas’ Dela Cruz, Brennan and Aranda sank back-to-back triples as their team converted on fastbreak opportunities to widen their lead.
Lakay’s Rabauliman scored inside the paint but Marianas’ Castro’s two straight triples secured the win for his team, 77-58.
The third and final game of the championship will be played Thursday, May 12, at 7 p.m. at the TSL Sports Complex.
Marianas’ Dela Cruz extends for the finish against Lakay’s Santos during game 2 of the Saipan Centennial Lions Club Basketball League championship series at the Civic Center basketball court.
Marianas’ Sablan blocks the shot of Lakay’s Gant during game 2 of the Saipan Centennial Lions Club Basketball League championship series at the Civic Center basketball court.
