Barcinas, Cruz, Abraham are MVPs

Capitol Hill Stars guards Dan Barcinas and Derek Abraham and Garapan Rollers cager Jericho Cruz now have two things in common.

All three enjoy showcasing their skills in the sport of basketball, and all three have most valuable player awards to prove they rank among the best in their age category.

Barcinas led the Stars to an undefeated record in Division III of the recent 2005 Northern Youth Basketball Association Tournament and stepped up when he was needed the most to earn his award. He scored a whopping 44 points in the team’s 99-92 semifinal victory over G-I, and scored 15 big second half points to lead his team to the title.

After deciding not to play in the recent Saipan Rotary Youth Basketball League, which saw his team place fourth, Barcinas took on the challenge and led his team to the top of the 16-19 age group by blocking six shots, dishing 18 assists, grabbing 25 rebounds, scoring 40 points in the elimination round, and posting 20 steals.

With his efforts, he was also crowned King of Assists and King of Steals.

For his part, Cruz played like a leader and took on every challenge throughout the tournament to lead the G-Rollers to claiming the Division II title.

The young gun who is already experienced with playing top gun players older than he is took pride in his defense and was the King of Steals with 23. The young guard had no fear in driving the lane even when three defenders were waiting and torched the nets for 30 points, while also dishing out nine assists. He also slashed between cagers and leaped to grab 18 rebounds and two block shots for a balanced effort.

Abraham played with style in the 12-and-under Division I and was a key members in his team’s runner-up finish. He was his team’s go-to-guy in offense and led the tournament with 27 points. He also swatted away two shots, doled out five assists, and made his presence felt with 12 steals and 14 rebounds.

Other top players for Division III include Julian Fitial of the Bwibwiis, who was recognized as scoring champion with 47 points and King of Blocks with 14, while fellow Bwibwiis Fred Litulimar and Richard Igisomar were offensive and defensive players of the event. Litulimar was strong in the paint and grabbed 15 rebounds, while also creating better opportunities for teammates to score with 18 assists. Igisomar, meanwhile, had six block shots and was quick with his hands and legs to slap away the ball for 26 steals.

The Matansa Sparks’ Jonathan Salas was also impressive and played like a mad dog in the shaded lane as he boxed out and hauled in a whopping 57 rebounds to top the category.

Other Division II guns include the Stars’ Trevor Ogumoro, who was his team’s all around player. He was crowned King of Rebounds with 39, King of Blocks with nine, and offensive player of the tournament after also dishing for eight assists.

Mariano Lisua of the Bwibwiis was declared defensive player after blocking five shots and getting 15 steals, while the Spark’s Ed Camacho was King of Assists with 13. G-Rollers II guard Nate Mateo was also scoring champion with 52 points.

Division I top guns include Sugar King Shooting Stars guard Brandon Camacho, who dished for 10 assists to top the category; Glenn Gapor of the Sparks, who was King of Rebounds with 36; Jomar Danas of the G-Rollers who swatted four shots; and Jack Castro of the Sparks who had 16 steals. Gapor was also offensive player with four assists and his 36 boards, while cagebelle Lia Rangamar of the stars was defensive player with 11 rebounds and two assists.

Sportsmanship award for Division I went to the G-Rollers, while sister team G-Rollers II took the award in Division II. The Sparks II won the award in Division III.