EAGLES Kuya defeated Lakay, 76-65, in an opening game of the E-Sports CNMI Invitational Basketball League 2025 at the Gualo Rai basketball court on Saturday night.
Eagles Kuya players were calm and collected, using their defense to convert each stop into a made bucket at the other end.
Rodel Pastrana and Anthony Regaton led the offense with fast-break opportunities and inside finishes, giving their team a slight edge.
On the other end, Lakay played with sheer grit, with Jay Macaraig anchoring the frontline and scoring nine points to keep them within reach, 23-18.
The second period saw more of the same action, with both sides evenly matched and scoring 10 points each.
In the second half, Eagles Kuya began to gain the edge, with Pastrana capitalizing on fastbreak opportunities. This time, teammates Dennis Cortez and Daren Alviz stepped up, helping to create some breathing room.
But Lakay stayed persistent, with Jay Jay Ramos finding his range from beyond the arc and draining two triples.
In the final 10 minutes of the game, however, Lakay began to unravel, settling for low-percentage shots that gave Eagles Kuya opportunities to widen the gap. Regaton and Cortez finished strong, combining to score on the final few possessions to maintain the lead and seal a 76-65 victory.
Winners, too
Joining the winner’s circle were Mountain, which eased past Top Shelf/Connies BBQ, 71-61; and HK/Yabangis, which trounced the Compadres, 70-53.
Scores:
Eagles Kuya 76 – Rodel Pastrana 21, Athony Regaton 15, Dennis Cortez 13, Ronald Rueda 9, Daren Alviz 6, Nefre Austria 2, Risty Vergara 2
Lakay 65 – Jay Macaraig 23, Meljhun Capalad 12, Jay Jay Ramos 13, Dhan Saludo 4, Glenn Ordanza 4, Jimmy Melendrez 3, Juny Camacho 2
Eagles Kuya’s Gerald Anciete takes a three-point shot during a game against Lakay in the E-Sports CNMI Invitational Basketball League 2025 at the Gualo Rai basketball court.
Eagles Kuya’s Risty Vergara protects the ball as he sets up the play during a game against Lakay in the E-Sports CNMI Invitational Basketball League 2025 at the Gualo Rai basketball court.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
