BANMI 22 & UNDER ALL-STAR GAME Sunrisers/Fanihi 83, Sixers/Cougars 65

BANMI 22 and Under Basketball League All-Star weekend was the first ever here in Saipan for this category. The game showcased the best players who participated in the league.

San Vicente Sunrisers, the Pennant champs and 1st runner up, was combined with Team Fanihi, while San Antonio Sixers, the first BANMI 22 & Under champs, was combined with Kagman Cougars. Sunrisers/Fanihi team was coached by Jeff Quitugua while Ryan Nesperos was the coach for Sixers/Cougars team.

The team selection was pretty much balance as both teams had powerhouse players like Dennis Camacho, Ponce Rasa, Patrick Guerrero, Jeremy Sablan, Joshua Quitugua, and Rodney Quitugua.

Only six players showed up for the Sunrisers/Fanihi Tandem while the Sixers/Cougars team was complete with Dave Sablan, Memo Eliesar, John Sablan, Ben Sablan, Ed Arriola, Ad Arriola, Jerry Diaz, Mike Duenas, Pete Lizama, and Gyles Ruluked.

It was an anybody’s ballgame from the start since both teams played good basketball and their defense was tight. Both teams played their hearts out and showed the crowd that they deserve to be selected as All-Stars for the 1st BANMI-22 & Under Basketball League.

With only six players on this line-up, coach Jeff Quitugua instructed his players to give it all they got and just to play smart since they only had one substitute and this paid off in the end with Sunrisers/Fanihi winning over the Sixers/Cougars team with a score of 83-65.

Dennis Camacho was the leading scorer of the game with 27 points, 1 assist, 5 blocked shots, pulled down 15 boards, 4 steals and sank a 3-pointer, while Ponce Rasa, playing one of his best games, poured in 18 points, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal. Pat Guerrero and Jeremy Sablan contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively.

On the other team, Dave Sablan was the highest scorer with 24 points, 2 assists, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, and sank one 3- pointer. Ed Arriola had 14 points, 1 assist, 3 steals and 2 3-pointers, while Jason Sablan had 9, Ben Sablan, 6, and Jerry Diaz, 6.

It could had been a different story if Sixers scoring machine Dave Sablan did not commit his fifth and final foul with still 4 minutes remaining in the game. Dave Sablan was called for two charging fouls and All-Star MVP Dennis Camacho took matters into his hands and started to get easy lay ups.

Dennis Camacho of Team Fanihi was selected the first BANMI 22 & Under MVP.