Hoopaholics spoil Warriors’ return, remain perfect

The SaipanCell-NMC Hoopaholics remained perfect in the ongoing BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League, this time spoiling the return of the Tanapag Warriors, 80-56, courtesy of an explosive second half Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Warriors put up a strong fight in the opening quarter, with former Rotary league standout Jeremiah Deleon Guerrero taking charge with 15 points and lifting his team to a 20-16 lead.

The Warriors held the lead only for a while as Team Hoops began chipping away at the deficit before tying the score and pushing ahead.

The SaipanCell-NMC squad’s hard work at the defensive end paid off again, resulting in various turnovers turned into fastbreak points. At the break, the Hoopaholics were up by six points, 38-32, with Jeremy Sablan and Jason Amado combining for 12 points.

With master tactician Rufino Aguon standing on the sidelines, the Hoopaholics left their opponents behind and began to break the game wide open in the third period, forcing more turnovers and nailing shot after shot to outscore the Warriors 23-10 for a comfortable 61-42 lead with one quarter remaining.

Darnes Kapwich nailed a bomb from downtown to kick off Team Hoops’ fourth quarter surge, and James Lee knocked in three jumpers as the Hoopaholics strolled to their seventh win in as many games to remain as the only undefeated team in the league.

Amado and Lee finished with 19 and 14 points to lead the Hoopaholics, while Sablan and slotman Sivas Awes punched in 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Deleon Guerrero put up a solid performance for the Warriors, leading all scorers with 30 points.

The Warriors returned to action after settling their entrance fee requirement with the league earlier in the week.

In the second game, the Toyota Prius notched their fifth win in six games with a 90-76 victory over Ulloa.

Ulloa got off on the right foot and dominated the paint, getting second- and third-chance opportunities on offensive rebounds by Tyrone and Gus Palacios, but the Toyota-sponsored team still managed to hold the upper hand courtesy of 14 points from Jeremy Winkfield, 24-17.

Ulloa continued to pound the boards and little by little, inched closer before taking the lead to close the half up by a point, 37-36.

Forward Tyrone Palacios spearheaded Ulloa’s sharp attack, collaring a bunch of rebounds and scoring on putbacks for 12 points in the second period.

The game went back to Toyota’s favor courtesy of their pressure defense throughout the second half, enabling them to build a double-digit lead. Ulloa made several runs to close the gap, but still finished short when the buzzer sounded.

Winkfield finished with 28 points, while Dexter Dillay pumped in 15 for Toyota.

Tyrone Palacios scored a game-high 32 points to lead Ulloa, while Josh Sablan and Gus Palacios chipped in had 16 points apiece.

Games of the 25-and-under league resumes tonight with Prius taking on San Antonio Wildcats at 6:30pm and Ghasias 7-Kings squaring off against the G-Rollers at 8pm.

First game
Hoopaholics 80—Amado 19, Lee 14, Sablan 12, Awes 10, Diaz 8, Kapwich 7, Mendiola 4, Fejeran 4, Manibusan 2.
Warriors 56—Deleon Guerrero 30, Lieto 9, San Nicolas 6, Seidler 4, Sablan 4, Suel 2, Quitugua 1.
Scoring by quarters: 16-20, 38-32, 61-42, 80-56.
Referees: Ricky Itaas and Jess Pacheco.

Second game
Prius 90—Winkfield 28, Dillay 15, Iguel 9, D. Barcinas 9, Tagabuel 8, Olaitiman 6, Libuw 2, A. Barcinas 2.
Ulloa 76—T. Palacios 32, G. Palacios 16, Jos. Sablan 16, Joh. Sablan 6, D. Palacios 2, Maratita 2, Ja. Sablan 2.
Scoring by quarters: 24-17, 36-37, 65-55, 90-76.
Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Mike White.