Prius advance to finals

Pennant champion Toyota Prius and Ulloa’s had their stuff working for them in the earlier goings and left the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium on the winning end, but not after having to stave off furious charges from their opponents in the ongoing BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League playoffs Monday night.

In the curtain raiser, Prius had five players finish in double figures and secured a slot in this year’s championship game with an 87-83 victory over a determined Ghasias 7-Kings.

In hopes of preventing the sixth-seeded 7-Kings from pulling off another upset, the hybrids got off to an impressive start and grabbed the early advantage. Toyota ran on all cylinders and led by double digits after the first 10 minutes of play, 28-16.

Prius continued to play with full force and worked up their lead courtesy of a balanced attack in the second quarter.

Speedster Dexter Dillay opened with five straight points and forward Gino Libuw capped a 20-13 run with a bucket to give Toyota a comfortable 48-29 lead heading into the break.

The hybrids maintained their intensity at the start of the third period and saw their lead grow to 25 points with a quarter remaining, but just when it seemed all was set and done, the 7-Kings unleashed a scoring rampage that brought them back into contention.

Ghasias put up a desperation attack and inched their way closer, with forward B.J. Kaipat catching fire and drilling four bombs from downtown, while scoring phenom Fred Pelisamen found his touch for 11 points, as Ghasias outscored Prius 33-12, however, time expired with Prius still clinging to a four-point advantage.

Forward Mel Tagabuel led Prius with 16 points, while Jeremy Winkfield and Shan Seman finished with 14 points apiece. Center Ambrose Ogumoro and Dan Barcinas chipped in 12 and 11 points.

Pelisamen led 7-Kings with a game-high 29 points, while Kaipat and Ben Pelisamen punched in 26 and 16 points.

In the second game, Ulloa’s kept their title hopes alive by eliminating the San Antonio Wildcats, 89-74.

After a neck-and-neck battle in the opening quarter, Ulloa’s swung favor to their corner courtesy of a 33-point explosion in the second period to take a 52-33 lead into the break.

Like Prius, Ulloa’s held on to their comfortable lead in the third period and headed to the fourth quarter up, 73-45.

With their season on the line, the Wildcats threw everything they had at Ulloa’s in the final 10 minutes, and despite missing Henry Sablan in the final 10 minutes, managed to creep in closer.

J.R. Ngeskebei pumped in three triples to lead a 29-16 run, but San Antonio’s effort came up short as Ulloa’s closed the game still ahead by double digits.

Sablan led Ulloa’s with a game-high 25 points, while Tyrone and Dave Palacios added 19 and 11 points.

Ngeskebei and Julian Ranas paced the Wildcats with 16 points apiece, while Alison Kaipat and Henry Sablan chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Action continues tonight as the Garapan Rollers take on second seed SaipanCell-NMC Hoopaholics at 6:30pm in another elimination bout. The winner advances to play Ulloa’s Friday night.

First Game

Prius 87—Tagabuel 16, Winkfield 14, Seman 14, A. Ogumoro 12, D. Barcinas 11, Olaitiman 7, Dillay 5, Lizama 4, Libuw 2, K. Ogumoro 2.

7-Kings 83—F. Pelisamen 29, B. Kaipat 26, B. Pelisamen 16, J. Pelisamen 4, J. Kaipat 2, Mike 2, Rabauliman 2.

Scoring by quarters: 28-16, 48-29, 75-50, 87-83.

Second Game

Ulloa’s 89—Jos. Sablan 25, T. Palacios 19, D. Palacios 11, Joh. Sablan 9, R. Palacios 8, Ruluked 8, G. Palacios 4, Maratita 3, Ja. Sablan 2.

Wildcats 74—Ranas 16, Ngeskebei 16, Kaipat 12, Sablan 10, Taitano 7, Basa 5, Yu 5, Kapileo 2.

Scoring by quarters: 19-15, 52-33, 73-45, 89-74.