The former high school varsity athlete went 1-for-2 on a set of free throws and led Mobil to their first victory (82-81) against Northern Marianas College-Proa in the 2011 Garapan Basketball League-IT&E Cup on Friday.
Maratita was fouled just two seconds before the final buzzer, with the score at 81-81.
A tight defense and series of baskets from Marvin Rabauliman and Dan Barcinas placed Proa dangerously close to Mobil, with just a one point gap between both sides in the fourth quarter.
Jun Estolas however, returned on the court after a brief substitution and fired a three-pointer four minutes into the period. Leo Factor got away with four more points and Jorge De Guzman scored six on three offensive rebounds before Maratita’s winning shot.
Team Proa cheered along after Sablan tied the game with 10 seconds to go. The squad —which included regulars Jack Lizama and Quincy Johnson — had to make do without front-runner Pete Iguel, who was off island on Friday.
Mobil steamed along and avoided two turnovers, choking Proa off possible baskets. The NMC-sponsored team drew a two-point lead after Barcinas’ fast break layup but was allowed only two more shots in the last two minutes.
Both Estolas and Rabauliman topped the scoreboard at 17 points each. Maratita scored 13 in the first half for a 16 total while Pete Lizama and De Guzman gained 12 apiece. Bart Demapan and Angelo Fernando, both playing for Mobil, scored a combined 16 points.
Barcinas tallied double digits and piled 16 points for Proa. Teammates Norita and Lizama garnered 11 and 10, respectively.
Scores:
Mobil 82 – J. Estolas 17, J. Maratita 16, J. De Guzman 12, P. Lizama 12, B. Demapan 8, A. Fernando 8, L. Factor 6, Moises 3
NMC-Proa 81 – M. Rabauliman 17, D. Barcinas 16, Norita 11, J. Lizama 10, Q. Johnson 9, P. Mendiola 5, Sablan 5, K. Chariton 5, G. Libuw 2, Ogumoro 1
Quarterscores: 20-16, 44-36, 60-58, 82-81
FGC 72, Andoks 59
Meanwhile, FGC Construction’s Kae Bernardo scored 22 points to crush Andoks, 72-59.
A 17-point deficit meant trouble for Andoks despite D. Mateo’s shooting spree in the fourth period.
FGC used speed to control the court, relying on Lerio Pagarao and Ron Gamboa to bring home field goals alongside Bernardo.
Andoks plunged on a lackluster offense while FGC propelled to an 18-10 lead in the first quarter.
Even Andoks’ Mike Umali couldn’t hold on to the ball, and since delivering seven points in the second period, was allowed only one shot for the rest of the game.
Gamboa secured nine of his 17 points in the second half while Pagarao and Rex Yabut scored nine each.
Umali trailed Mateo with 11 points while Tim Wesley earned nine.
Scores:
FGC Construction 72 – K. Bernardo 22, R. Gamboa 17, L. Pagarao 9, R. Yabut 9, Z. Babauta 6, E. Santos 4, S. Lerio 3, B. Basila 2
Andoks 59 – D. Mateo 15, M. Umali 11, T. Wesley 9, J. Dayrit 6, D. Tenorio 5, J. Artates 4, A. Lauron 4, J. Alipio 2, Z. Johanes 2, Park 1
Quarterscores: 18-10, 34-28, 57-40, 72-59
