San Antonio goes up to 3-0, G-Rollers I gets win

San Antonio made it three for three, while Garapan Rollers I kept pace with its second win in as many starts in the continuation of the 2005 Saipan Rotary Club Summer Youth Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium Thursday.

Seeing action in the first game, San Antonio had more than its hands full against G-Rollers II before overcoming Garapan’s sophomore team 83-67.

Josh Sablan was his usual explosive self, scorching the hoop for 15 points in the opening half for San Antonio. Fourteen-and-under MVP Bill Babauta also didn’t disappoint firing all 12 of his points before halftime.

Dan Mateo, meanwhile, kept Garapan’s upset hopes alive with 10 points in the opening 20 minutes, which allowed the boys of coach Jose Tumaquip to stay close, down by just 35-41 at the break.

San Antonio, however, began to unleash its endline-to-endline pressure defense, which in turn ignited its potent running attack.

With former IVYBL scoring champ Preston Basa and center Robert Palacios waxing hot from all angles, San Antonio left G-Roller II biting its dust and proceeded to rout the hapless cagers from the island’s bustling tourist district.

Sablan went on to topscore for San Antonio with 20 points, while Babauta, Basa, Palacios, and Frank Blas added 10 or more points for coach Ray Duenas’ quintet.

In the second game, G-Rollers I schooled sister team G-Rollers III to the tune of 67-24 to join Sonics and Breeze in a tie for second place in the standings.

All three teams sport identical 2-0 records.

Kevin Aldan got thing started for the most senior of Garapan cage teams, as he unloaded 11 of his 14 points in the first half, which G-Rollers I took 24-13.

Peter Iguel, who is playing five positions this year for head coach Joe Diaz, then frolicked from everywhere on the court in the second half.

The 5’8” guard/forward/center went to town pumping in 13 of his game-high 15 points in the second half, as G-Rollers I won by a mile.

Josh Moses and Jason Palacios scored seven and six points, respectively, to pace G-Rollers III, which dropped to 0-2 in the team standings, the same win-loss card carried by G-Rollers II.

The 18-and-under league resumes this Monday with Sixers II taking on G-Rollers II at the Ada Gym.

First Game

San Antonio 83 – J. Sablan 20, Basa 12, Babauta 12, Palacios 10, Blas 10, Pangelinan 6, B. Sablan 6, Maratita 4, You 3, Alvarez 2.

Garapan Rollers II 67 – Moses 14, D. Mateo 13, Avila 11, Teregeyo 10, Basila 8, N. Mateo 6, Iguel 3, Tellei 2.

Scoring by halves: 41-35, 83-67.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game

Garapan Rollers I 67 – Iguel 15, Aldan 14, Ada 8, Teregeyo 6, Tumaquip 5, Chariton 4, Devero 4, Pangelinan 4, Castro 4, Cruz 3.

Garapan Rollers III 24 – Moses 7, Palacios 6, Deleon Guerrero 5, K. Concepcion 4, Palacios 2, J. Concepcion 2, Jung 1, Untalan 1.

Scoring by halves: 24-13, 67-24.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Noel Delos Santos.