YABANGIS/HK scored another win in the A Division of the E-Sports CNMI Invitational Basketball League 2025, flattening their opponents, Mountain, 64–58, during a game held Saturday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.
After a slow start, Yabangis/HK eventually found their rhythm, with James Kintz leading the charge by scoring the team’s first two buckets. Jerome Directo and Jordan Dinglasan quickly followed, chipping in six and 10 points, respectively.
On the other end, Mountain fought back with sheer grit. Melvin Castillo posed an all-around threat, while Marlon Castillo and Louie Ocampo cleaned up around the perimeter, trimming the deficit to 32–26 by halftime.
In the second half, Mountain slowly crept closer, thanks to a scoring burst from Ocampo, who caught fire with back-to-back buckets and and-one plays. But with every basket Mountain made, Yabangis/HK responded. Dinglasan, Jose Broncano, and Kintz kept the momentum alive as the clock approached the final 10 minutes.
In the last five minutes, Marlon Castillo nearly shifted the tide with four straight points, followed by back-to-back triples from Melvin Castillo and Ocampo.
Unfortunately for Mountain, their rally fell short, as Yabangis/HK stayed composed and delivered in crunch time. Broncano, John Mejarito, and Jun Estolas hit clutch shots to seal the 64–58 win.
Also joining the winner’s circle were:
The Eagles, who edged Top Shelf–Connie’s BBQ, 58–53; and
The Compadres, who eased past Island Hoopers, 60–31.
Scores:
Yabangis/HK 64 – James Kintz 11 Jordan Dingsalan 14, Jerome Directo 11, Jose Broncano 9, Jun Estolas 5, Dick Tibayan 4, Erwin Santiago 2, Rosario 2
Mountain 58 – Louie Ocampo 20, Melvin Castillo 10, Marlon Castillo 8, Mario Ibay 3, Ronald Catalan 2, Floyde Dizon 2, Mark Saplan 1, Michael Cortez 1, Edison Dela Cruz 2, M. Ocampo 1
Yabangis/HK’s James Kintz pulls up for the corner jumper during a game in the E-Sports CNMI Invitational Basketball League 2025 held at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court on Saturday night.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
Yabangis/HK’s Jerome Directo gets fouled as he goes up for the finish during a game in the E-Sports CNMI Invitational Basketball League 2025 at the Gualo Rai basketball court on Saturday night.
Mountain’s Mark Saplan extends for a double-clutch layup during a game in the E-Sports CNMI Invitational Basketball League 2025 at the Gualo Rai basketball court on Saturday night.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.