Ghasias stunning in another playoff upset

The Ghasias 7-Kings are on a roll.

The sixth seed in the ongoing BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League playoffs, Ghasias looked like a powerhouse and pulled off its second straight upset Friday night, beating second seed SaipanCell-NMC Hoopaholics, 89-75, at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The result enabled Fred Pelisamen and company to move within one win from securing a berth in this year’s championship bout. Ghasias battles pennant champion Toyota Prius tomorrow at 6:30pm for the golden ticket.

It was tightly battled bout in the early goings, with Hoopaholics getting a strong start courtesy of the play of forward Jeremy Sablan and cat-quick guard Jason Amado, who combined for 15 points, giving the SaipanCell-NMC squad a 21-17 advantage after the opening period.

Both teams struggled offensively in the second quarter, but fortunately for Team Hoops, Amado still had the hot hand and drilled a triple and another field goal to keep his team up. The 7-Kings, meanwhile, managed to bust up just 11 points and saw their deficit stretch to five points, 28-35, at the end of the first half.

Things took a big turn in the third period as a more aggressive Ghasias squad took the court. The trio of Pelisamen, brother Benedict, and forward B.J. Kaipat kicked into higher gear and carried their team ahead with a combined 25-point explosion. The trio attacked the lane with drives and had solid support from the entire 7-Kings cast defensively to outscore the opposition, 29-18, to take a 57-51 lead into the final stanza.

The scoring spree, however, was just beginning as Ghasias continued to fire away on all cylinders in the payoff period, scoring on a bunch of free throws and fast break opportunities to break their lead into double figures. Kaipat also made good on a four-point play and the Hoops were plagued with misses from the charity line and in the paint to keep the 7-Kings in their comfort zone.

Hoopaholics made a desperation comeback run in the late goings, but got as close as 13 points before the 7-Kings regrouped and held on for the win.

Fred Pelisamen led 7-Kings with a game-high 35 points while Kaipat and Ben Pelisamen finished with 23 and 22 points.

Sablan had his touch throughout the game and swooshed the nets for a team-high 20 points to lead Hoopaholics while Amado supported with 18 points.

Earlier, Prius held off a furious charge by the G-Rollers to leave with a 96-85 victory.

Both teams were neck-and-neck in the first half, with Prius leaning on the play of Dan Barcinas and Jeremy Winkfield and the G-Rollers getting solid minutes from center Kelvin Fitial and guards Ben Jones and Jose Tumaquip.

Prius were up by just seven points entering the fourth period, but went into a zone of their own to push the lead to as much as 22 points before the G-Rollers closed the gap.

Barcinas led Prius with 23 points while Winkfield and Ambrose Ogumoro pumped in 22 and 15 points. Guard Dexter Dillay and forward Mel Tagabuel also chipped in with 13 and 12 points.

Fitial paced G-Rollers with 17 points while Tumaquip and Jones finished with 15 points apiece.

First game

Prius 96—Barcinas 23, Winkfield 22, A. Ogumoro 15, Dillay 13, Tagabuel 12, Seman 4, K. Ogumoro 3, Iguel 2, Olaitiman 2.

G-Rollers 85—Fitial 17, Jones 15, Jos. Tumaquip 15, Chariton 8, Flores 8, Hockins 8, Iguel 6, Joe. Tumaquip 5, Teregeyo 3.

Scoring by quarters: 17-15, 37-31, 64-57, 96-85.

Second game

7-Kings 89—F. Pelisamen 35, B. Kaipat 23, B. Pelisamen 22, Je. Kaipat 4, Ja. Kaipat 3, Rabauliman 2.

Hoopaholics 75—Sablan 20, Amado 18, Manibusan 8, Diaz 6, Awes 6, Kapwich 5, Fejeran 5, Mendiola 5, Garcia 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-21, 28-33, 57-51, 89-75.