Banjo Basila and Kay Bernardo rallied to help World Resort secure the lead in the first and second quarters.
Basila basketed seven of his 19 points and Bernardo took over the task halfway to the third quarter, investing in two-pointers, scoring eight of his 17 points for their 72-68 victory.
Wowie Abuel joined Basila in the shooting spree in the final quarter, scoring four of his 14 points. Basila, this time hit eight markers as he completed five free throws to grab the opening victory.
Dennis Viñas who went 3-for-4 added 11 points.
Tinian Dynasty’s Noel Sabordo who started slow in the first half almost single-handedly tried to catch up scattering 11 of his 17 points in the final quarter.
Aqua Resort 85, Fiesta/Saipan Grand 73
Jun Estolas went into shooting rampage right from the first quarter and went ballistic from the arc firing three consecutive three-pointers to stretch the gap prior to the second half of the game.
Kelvin Fitial who fired the first three points basketed his three free throws in the third quarter. He finished with 13 points.
Cidy Johanes also hit a three-pointer and went 2-for2 to chip in 13 points.
Gil Gapor added eight points.
Fiesta/Grand’s Elmer Esdrelon scored only two points in the third quarter and only five points in the most crucial part of final quarter. He finished with 21 points.
Hyatt 107, PIC 94
Hyatt Regency Saipan was a double-edged sword with Chris Arreza and Jericho Cruz who scattered 35 points each foiling Pacific Island Club’s repeated attempt to tie the score.
Arreza scattered 18 points including a three-pointer in the final quarter Cruz invested in free throws in the first quarter then, rampaged with two-pointers in the fourth.
Edmark Mendoza scored 14 points and Bernardine Aquino added 11 points.
Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino general manager, Tom Liu would like to thank the managers of the five other hotels who supported the league.
Scores:
Saipan World 72 –B. Basila 19, L. Bernardo 17, W. Abuel 14, D. Viñas 11, R.Caruana 5, J. Navarro 2, L. Scinieder 2, J. Wabinga 2
Tinian Dynasty 68 –N. Sabordo 21, C. Fernandez 11, R. Reyes 9, R. Manalo 8, D. Ramirez 6, M. Evangelista 4, G. Cajayon 4, E. Advincula 2
Quaterscores: 22-13, 38-27, 54-42, 72-68
Aqua Resort 85 – J. Estolas 29, K. Fitial 13, C. Johanes 13, G. Gapor 8, J. Acosta 5, G. Aquino 5, G. Ruluked 5, J. Torres 4, D.Sablan 2
Fiesta/Grand 73 – E. Esdrelon 21, L. Palero 18, W. Opone 10, R. Usi 10, A. Macoto 6, R. Manglona 4
Quarterscores: 22-18, 47-38, 71-60, 85-73
Hyatt Regency 107 –C. Arreza 35, J. Cruz 35, E. Mendoza 14, B. Aquino 11, A. Magno 8, G. Libuw 2, M. Umali 2
PIC 94 – R. Sanciangco 36, D. Barbo 27, B. Kaipat 15, J. Abuy 6, R. Babauta 2, D. Tudela 2
Quarterscores: 21-20, 49-43, 73-68, 104-94
