CNMI cagers finish 6th after loss to Fiji

The CNMI Junior Nationals figured in the closest game in the 7th FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament, engaging Fiji in a nail-biting finish before bowing out, 63-65, last Saturday at the University of Guam Fieldhouse in Mangilao.

The CNMI and Fiji battled for fifth place with the latter stealing the win after holding the former to two points in the last four minutes of the game.

The CNMI cagers still led by four, 61-57, when they missed several shots and committed errors allowing Fiji to recover and grab the victory.

A Jomary Tumaquip triple off a Jericho Cruz feed gave the CNMI a 61-57 lead, with 4:01 left in the game.

But Waymann Whippy quickly answered with his own triple, moving Fiji within one, 60-61, with 3:44 remaining on the clock.

Jayvan Tarkong and Marvin Rabauliman muffed their shots in the CNMI’s ensuing offensive plays, and the Commonwealth’s bets continued to suffer misfortunes when Tumaquip and Rabauliman committed turnovers.

CNMI coach Rufino Aguon breathed a sigh of relief when Jericho Cruz nailed a basket giving his team more breathing space, 63-60, with 2:30 left in the fourth period.

Fiji continued to threaten the CNMI when Josefa Serulagilagi made a bucket, cutting the lead to one anew, 62-63. Rabauliman tried to bring the lead back to three, but missed an undergoal stab, going into the last two minute of the game.

Rabauliman attempted again, but was blocked by Martin Liebregts and Fiji sprinted to their front court for its offensive set. Fiji muffed two shots, but grabbed the offensive rebounds paving the way for a Jesse Sikivou layup and giving Fiji the lead, 64-63, with 40 seconds left in the game.

Both teams traded misses in the succeeding plays with the CNMI muffing its chance to regain the lead when Cruz faltered in his layup in the last four seconds of the match.

Whippy got the rebound and was fouled by Cruz. The Fiji gunner made his first charity and missed the second, but teammate Orisi Naivalurua secured the offensive board and time expired preserving Fiji’s victory.

Fiji led in the first period, 21-15, and hung on to a 33-32 lead at halftime. The CNMI made its move in the third quarter, limiting Fiji to 11 points to grab the driver’s seat, 49-44.

The fourth quarter was a seesaw battle until Fiji got the breaks in the closing minutes of the game to place fifth in the tournament. CNMI settled for sixth.

Australia ruled the tournament as expected, trouncing Tahiti in the finals, 95-48. Guam finished third, whipping New Caledonia, 92-60. Papua New Guinea placed seventh after downing Palau, 79-52.

Fiji 65 – Sikivou 21, Whippy 12, Price 7, Liebregts 6, Serulagilagi, Chambers 5, Puamau 2, Raravula 2, Savua 2.

CNMI 63 – Cruz 23, Tumaquip 19, Tarkong 10, Rabauliman 5, Babauta 2, White 2, Moses 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-15, 33-32, 44-49, 65-63.