Team Legends’ Dick Tibayan pulls up for the uncontested shot during a semifinal game of the 2023 Pacific Saipan Promo Invitational Basketball League at the Gualo Rai basketball court on Thursday.
TEAM Legends and Alliana’s will face each other in the finale of the 2023 Pacific Saipan Promo Invitational Basketball League after defeating their respective opponents Thursday at the Gualo Rai basketball court.
Team Legends triumphed over the Guardians, 75-64, in a championship-like game filled with several lead exchanges.
In the opening quarter, Team Legends was in control thanks to the consistent offensive output of Jimboy Tabora and Dick Tibayan who delivered four points each to give their team the lead, 16-14.
The Guardians, for their part, cooked up a rally in the second period with Manuel Gatbunton igniting the run with a three-pointer followed by another bucket. Teammate Jomari Dela Cruz then kept the range from beyond the arc with two triples followed by a bucket by Benedict Villocero to grasp the upper hand, 32-29.
Team Legends gradually worked their way back as their players, led by Tabora, unloaded several buckets to regain the lead, 54-48.
The Guardians gave it their all in the fourth and final quarter but for every shot they made, Team Legends responded accordingly. Their output included several free-throw attempts, whcih sealed the deal, 75-64.
Alliana’s vs Bourbon Bar & Café
Alliana’s grabbed the other final spot by powering past Bourbon Bar & Café, 78-58.
Both teams played well in the first quarter with Bourbon’s July Narciso and Marlon Binuya doing most of the work.
However, Alliana’s started to establish control in the second canto as soon as Jobert Meriales found his confidence. He picked up eight points to push a double-digit advantage while teammates Jomar Tengco and JR Alcantara heated up from the three-point line. Mariales then continued the punishment from within to secure the easy win, 78-58.
