Garapan eliminates Hoops from playoffs

The Garapan Rollers kept their composure and poise down the stretch and eliminated SaipanCell-NMC Hoopaholics 95-89 in the continuation of the BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League playoffs Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

With the down-the-wire win, the G-Rollers prevented Hoops from successfully defending their championship crown, and advanced into another do-or-die game against Ulloa’s tonight.

The G-Rollers-Hoops battle was tight as it can be in the opening quarter as both teams matched each other well.

Pistol Pete Iguel of the G-Rollers and cat-quick guard Jason Amado of Team Hoops engaged in a scoring duel, with Iguel leading his team to a 24-23 lead courtesy of this eight points and Amado keeping his team in striking distance with 13.

The neck-and-neck struggle carried over into the second period, but favor remained on the G-crew’s corner as Ben Jones broke loose and knocked down four triples to spearhead a run that stretched his team’s lead to six points at the break, 51-45. Jones was on fire the entire period, accounting for a whopping 17 points, including scoring 11 straight for the G-Rollers.

After trading baskets at the start of the final half, the G-Rollers went on a cold spell, one which the Hoopaholics quickly took advantage of.

The SaipanCell-NMC squad clawed back and pulled even at 53 apiece early in the third quarter, but the G-Rollers quickly responded and went up by as much as five points on several occasions before Team Hoops knotted the score again at 61-all on a bucket by center Mel Manibusan with 3:26 left in the period.

A couple of free throws by Jerry Diaz and a bucket by Jeremy Sablan gave Hoops a 65-61 lead, but it quickly evaporated as G-Rollers center Kelvin Fitial and Iguel took charge and lifted their team to a 71-67 breathing room with only a quarter remaining.

With the season on the line, both teams gave it their all in the dying minutes. A basket in the paint by Sivas Awes gave Hoops an 80-79 lead with 4:52 remaining, but the G-Rollers kept their focus and eventually knotted the score at 83 apiece.

The game was tied at 87-87 when Jones raced down for a layup with 44 seconds left on the clock for an 89-87 advantage for the G-Rollers. Hoops tried to move the ball pass half court, only to have Fitial strip it loose and Jones racing for another layup, 91-87, with 34.5 ticks remaining.

Pete Mendiola gave Hoops some glimmer of hope as he knocked in a shot to cut the lead to two points, 89-91, with 31 seconds left, but a couple of free throws by Joemar Tumaquip, a key block by Fitial on a three-point attempt, and another basket by Jones sealed the deal for Garapan.

Hoops was plagued by foul trouble late in the game, with Manibusan, Awes, and Diaz leaving early after picking up their fifth fouls.

Iguel finished with 29 points, while Fitial and Jones were good for 23 points apiece to lead the G-Rollers. Tumaquip chipped in with 10 points.

Amado led Hoopaholics with 29 points, while Sablan and Mendiola contributed 22 and 12 points.

Meanwhile, the winner between the G-Rollers and Ulloa’s will advance to play the Ghasias 7-Kings Monday night at 6:30pm for the final championship game ticket.

G-Rollers 95—Iguel 29, Fitial 23, Jones 23, Joe. Tumaquip 10, Jos. Tumaquip 6, Teregeyo 4.
Hoopaholics 89—Amado 29, Sablan 22, Mendiola 12, Awes 8, Manibusan 7, Diaz 4, Garcia 4, Kapwich 2, Lee 1.
Scoring by quarters: 24-23, 51-45, 71-67, 95-89.
Referees: Ricky Itaas and Noel Delos Santos.