G-Rollers I back on top of IVYBL

Garapan Rollers I won their second title in three years yesterday morning, avenging a loss a year ago by beating pennant champion San Antonio Sixers I, 42-40, in the title bout of the 2006 Island-wide Village Youth Basketball League.

It took two days for a champion to be crowned as the game actually got underway Friday evening at the Garapan Basketball Court.

With their regular season loss and last year’s finals defeat still fresh in their minds, the G-Rollers crew started the bout with their game faces on and handled their business en route to taking a comfortable first quarter lead. With team veteran Jericho Cruz stepping up his game, G-I gave their fans much to cheer about in the opening eight minutes and headed into the second stanza with a 10-2 advantage.

The Sixers I, though, were far from pulling the plug on their 2006 campaign as the team with the best record in the regular season broke out of their scoring slump and began to inch closer.

Nathan Flores hit a free throw and after a bucket by G-I put the Garapan-based squad ahead, 12-3, regular season most valuable player Matt Duenas and Flores connected on consecutive jumpers to pull the team closer.

A free throw gave the G-Rollers some breathing room, but it didn’t take long before the Sixers I pulled even as they responded with 6-0 run capped by a 3-point play by Justin Alexander for a 13-13 score with a little over five minutes left in the half.

The G-Rollers I were quick to return the favor though and went on a run of their own, scoring seven straight markers that featured jumpers by Cruz, cage belle Nicole Lebria, and Champ Untalan to regain the lead, 20-13, with 2:13 remaining.

Determined not to fall too far behind, the Sixers I again closed the gap as Flores and Duenas connected from the charity line and Duenas followed with another jumper. Juan Diaz then came up big for the G-I team, scoring two straight baskets with under a minute on the clock to give his team the 24-17 lead at halftime.

Just as the halftime break began, Mother Nature greeted with heavy showers, resulting in a long rain delay. After consulting with officials from both teams, league organizers Joe Mettao and Jonathan Tenorio decided to resume the second half at 9am yesterday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

All were in for a treat though as Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela sponsored a feast that served as a venue for officials to present the pennant championship, second and third runners up, regular season MVP award, and sportsmanship award.

When action resumed, it was the G-Rollers that took charge as Cruz again worked his magic for six points while Untalan added a bucket. The Sixers I were limited to six points in the stanza, resulting in Garapan going into the final period with a comfortable nine-point edge, 32-23.

But the comfort zone was short lived as San Antonio was determined to keep a hold of the title and put on a furious charge in the closing minutes.

Flores caught fire as he waxed hot for 12 points, his final two points coming on a jumper in the paint that tied the game at 40-40 with 40 seconds left in the game.

G-I was struck hard with a blow on their next possession as Cruz was called for a traveling violation with 30.6 seconds remaining, but the G-crew recovered by forcing a turnover and Cruz broke free for a fast-break layup to give his team a 42-40 lead.

The Sixers still had several opportunities, but weren’t able to convert before the sound of the final buzzer.

Cruz led the G-Rollers I with 23 points, while Flores was the top scorer for the Sixers I with a game-high 24 points.

G-Rollers I 42 – Cruz 23, Untalan 5, Diaz 4, Moses 2, Lebria 2, Calvo 2, Kim 2, Salas 2.

Sixers I 40 – Flores 24, M. Duenas 8, Alexander 3, Santos 2, Ajoste 2, Bautista 1.

Scoring by quarters: 10-2, 24-17, 32-23, 42-40.

Referees: Joe Mettao and Jovie Omar.