Kimberlyn King-Hinds, center, wins the hot pepper eating contest for females on Tinian, Saturday. Also in photo are Rep. Leepan Guerrero, Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan, Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Priscilla Iakopo and Miss NMI Earth-Fire Katherine Maria Johnson. Photo by Junhan B. Todiño
Teamwork and communication were Ol’Aces 2’s biggest strength as they denied CTSI from getting any easy looks. With each successful stop, Cris Saedala and Hanferney Kapwich capitalized on the offensive end with 11 points combined to give their team the lead.
The CTSI Boys managed to stay on their toes as the height advantage of Tony Kim and Logan Mister allowed them to power their way inside the paint and maintain a single-digit deficit, 17-21.
During the second half, Ol’Aces2 nearly gained a double-digit lead as their range extended beyond the three-point line. Nathan Mesa, Cris Saedala, Hanferney Kapwich, Thrin They and Mark Castro all found their stroke, sinking five straight triples.
The CTSI Boys tried to step up their game with a few three-pointers of their own courtesy of Brian Kim and Ken Song while Steven Goodwin and Mister continued to deliver inside to reduce the deficit to just two points.
It came down to the final few minutes of the game as Goodwin connected a crucial three-point shot but Ol’Aces 2’s Kapwich scored back to back buckets to secure the win, 49-48.
Ol’Aces 1 also joined the winners’ circle as they triumphed over Rollers 1, 49-43.
It was the work of Jesstin Laniyo that kept Ol’Aces 1 in charge throughout the game. He carried his team with 14 points with Oldie Roligat and Ducan Laxa right behind him to keep the momentum burning.
Rollers 1 had a late-game push in the second half with a more aggressive approach meeting, but they couldn’t stop Ol’Aces 1’s offense, and lost 43-49
