Grillin’ delivered more than five turnovers in the second half and wiped out a six-point deficit to force Hyatt off its feet, 99-86 at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.
Pagarao top scored at 36 points and Kintz nearly snagged a double-double with 24 points and nine rebounds.
The comeback propelled Grillin’ to its second win, having lost six regular season games. They are tied in the standings with GPPC Inc. and host team Shirley’s Coffee Shop.
Pagarao was in harmony with the court, snatching six steals with 20 points from the third and fourth periods. Grillin’ outscored Hyatt, 38-20 to end the closing 10 minutes. Kintz added 10 points before the last buzzer while Leo Galarse scored 13 and Rocyl Ritual earned three.
Grillin’ darted to an 86-79 lead with 2:36 remaining and outlasted Hyatt’s Bernard Aquino and Christian Devero, who had 17 each. Mike Umali, Dino Palacios, and Jomar Tumaquip made up for eight of the team’s last 20 points. Devero tallied eight rebounds while Aquino had four assists and four steals.
Grillin’s next game will determine their eligibility for the playoffs. Team Hyatt, who lost a game via forfeit on Saturday, dropped to six losses with three wins.
Mobil secured the league’s top spot with seven wins and one loss. Pacific Islands Club-NVM, DFS Galleria, and Fiesta Resort and Spa are in a three-way tie with six wins and two losses each.
Aside from Pagarao, Leo Galarse and Rocyl Ritual garnered double digits — 18 and 12 points, respectively — to lift Grillin’ on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Wushin plunged to the bottom of the standings after losing to Shirley’s via forfeit.
Scores:
Grillin’ 99 – L. Pagarao 36, J. Kintz 24, L. Galarse 18, R. Ritual 12, R. Hernandez 5, G. Loste 2, J. Loste 2
Hyatt Regency Saipan 86 – B. Aquino 17, C. Devero 17, D. Mateo 14, R. Castro 9, J. Durant 6, C. Arreza 6, J. Alipio 5, M. Umali 5, J. Tumaquip 4, D. Palacios 3
Quarterscores: 27-25, 45-40, 66-61, 86-99
