69ers, Sixers I win in convincing fashion

The teams of San Antonio took the spotlight Saturday morning as the 69ers and Sixers I posted wins in convincing fashion at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the opener, the 69ers kept their spotless record intact and cruised to an easy victory over Kagman, 68-42.

Rising star Bill Babauta had the hot hand in the early goings, connecting for eight points in the first eight minutes of play to spark 69ers to a 22-12 spread after the first period.

69ers coach Ray Duenas then inserted his reserves in the second stanza, and the second stringers did an okay job as they limited Kagman to just six points while making the scorekeeper keep track of the 10 points they put up.

At the break, Duenas’ crew held a comfortable 14-point advantage, 32-18.

While the 69ers continued to have their way on the hard court, the younger Kagman squad was hung up in its own cold spell and managed to pour in just three field goals, while allowing the opposition to light up the scoreboard for 20 points for a 24-52 deficit with only a quarter to go.

Babauta was reinserted to the bout and quickly made his presence felt, knocking down six more points, but the quarter belonged to the Kagman cagers, who finally broke out of their scoring drought and buried 18 points to make the final score respectable.

Babauta finished with a game-high 14 points, while Mart Sablan and Martin Pangelinan contributed 10 points apiece for the 69ers.

Cagebelle Chelsea Ruluked, who also suits up for the CNMI Women’s National Team, and Soane Pua led Kagman with eight points apiece, while Tom Pangelinan and Jordan Quitugua added six points each in a losing cause.

In the second game, Sixers I dominated sister team Sixers II and strolled to an easy 74-41 victory.

Sixers I quickly grabbed the upper hand with a 20-14 run in the opening quarter, with Kris Aquino going berserk and tormenting their opponents with 10 points.

Sixers I then pulled away by outscoring the Sixers II 16-10 for a 12-point halftime cushion, 36-24, and kicked it into high gear and exploded for 22 points in the fourth quarter to cruise to the 31-point victory margin.

Aquino, Nathan Flores, and Alvin Salas each had 14 points to lead the Sixers I, while Brian Chan finished in double figures for the second straight game with 10 points.

Ervin Villegas and Lawrence Echon paced the Sixers II with 10 and eight points.

FIRST GAME

69ers 68—Babauta 14, Sablan 10, Pangelinan 10, E. Duenas 8, King 6, Santos 6, M Duenas 4, Guerrero 2, White 2, R. Duenas 2, Travilla 2.

Kagman 42—Ruluked 8, Pua 8, Quitugua 6, Pangelinan 6, Cabrera 4, Camacho 4, Caliwan 2, Lainos 2.

Scoring by quarters: 22-12, 32-18, 52-24, 68-42.

Referee: Jonathan Tenorio

SECOND GAME

Sixers I 74—Aquino 14, Flores 14, Salas 14, Chan 10, Cabrera 6, Kintz 6, Ajoste 4, Villegas 4.

Sixers II 41—Villegas 10, Echon 8, Manaluz 6, Feria 6, Pepito 5.

Scoring by quarters: 20-14, 36-24, 52-36, 74-41.

Referee: Jonathan Tenorio.