Sixers I edges Kagman for third win

The San Antonio Sixers I scored when they needed to in the dying minutes and held on to pick up their third win in four games in the 2005 Island-wide Village Youth Basketball League, edging a determined Kagman squad, 43-38, last night at the Kagman Basketball Court.

The match was tight right from the get-go as neither team managed to break away in the first period, which ended with the Sixers I holding a three-point advantage, 12-9.

The neck-and-neck match up carried over to the second period, however, Kagman went on to put up better numbers and closed the half by slicing the deficit to just a point, 20-21. Cagebelle Chelsea Ruluked ignited Kagman’s run and fueled their charge with six points in the period.

Both teams struggled a bit as the second half got underway, turning the ball over on several occasions due to intensified defensive plays on both sides.

The Sixers I still kept a firm grip on their lead, outscoring the opposition, 8-6, to head into the final stanza with a 29-26 cushion.

Like they did for most parts of the game, the Kagman cagers refused to give in and cut the lead to a single point four times in crunch time, but the Sixers I found a way to respond each time their lead was sliced, with jumpers by Brian Chan and baskets by Alvin Salas.

A 6-0 run courtesy of their play in the paint enabled the Sixers I to go up by as much as nine points.

Kagman put up a final charge and began to inch closer again, however, their effort came up short as the buzzer sounded with Sixers I posting the five-point winning margin.

Salas led the Sixers I and finished with a game-high 13 points, while Kris Aquino and Chan punched in eight and six points, respectively.

Ruluked led Kagman with 10 points, while Edwin Camacho and Soane Pua contributed nine and seven points in a losing cause.

The loss dropped Kagman to 1-2 in the team standings.

IVYBL action continues tonight as the Matansa Sparks battle Hopwood Junior High School at the Garapan Basketball Court. Game time is set for 6:30pm.

Sixers I 43—Salas 13, Aquino 8, Chan 6, Blesoch 4, Flores 4, Villegas 2, Kintz 2.

Kagman 38—Ruluked 10, Camacho 9, Pua 7, Cabrera 6, Caliwan 6.

Scoring by quarters: 12-9, 21-20, 29-26, 43-38.

Referees: Joe Mettao and Jovie Omar.