Unable to find its rhythm in the early goings, the Island team found itself trailing badly at the start of the first quarter of its game against Mason’s team. After a hot start, the Mason’s rolled on to a big lead of 22 points, 28-6, at the end of the period.
The start of the second quarter did not end the Rhythm’s woes. Banking on Kent’s 15-point explosion, the Hardware masters further increased the lead midway through the second period. The Island team tried to mount a comeback, but their half-hearted rally were for naught as the Mason team increased its advantage to 25 late in the period.
The first half ended with Mason’s ahead by a mile, 51-26.
But it was entirely a different story in the third period.
The onset of the 3rd quarter suddenly brought life to the struggling Rhythms. With the near improbable task of overhauling a big deficit, the team played cohesively as it slowly nibbled at the big lead of Mason’s Hardware. The two team traded baskets towards the end of the quarter as the Rhythms succeeded in trimming the gap in the middle of the period. The Island rally did not stop from there as it rained baskets over the now-hapless Mason’s Hardware.
The Rhythms outscored Mason’s Hardware 28-16 in the third quarter to trim the deficit to 13 entering the fourth and final period.
The fourth period did not end the Rhythm’s comeback. Led by main man Una, the team piled points after points as Mason defenders tried to slow down its momentum. Staring at a monumental collapse despite their leading by double digits most of the game, the Mason players tried to stop their opponent’s furious rally, but their efforts were for nothing as the Island team completed a major comeback and won by two, 89-87, at the final buzzer.
Una paced Island Rhythm with 31 points, 19 of them in the second half. Sean and Perry added a combined 36 points for the winning team. Kent led Mason’s Hardware with his 21 markers, while Arnel, Remy, Marco and Perry combined for 56 points in a losing effort.
In the other games, MPIIC won over SDA Crusaders, 101-92, and MOE Spiders outhustled MOJ Cops, 84-75.
A tobacco, alcohol and drug-free program where violators are banned from participating in the event, the league is supervised by the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF).
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