670 Rollers rally past Madflex for Pokka champs

The 670 Rollers fought their way to a 76-70 win over Madflex in the 2024 Pokka Cup championships last Friday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Heading into the final minutes, both teams were deadlocked as ties and 1-point margins that seesawed ruled the game. It was never really a far game throughout as both teams immediately replied to the other in a give and take matchup.

Madflex carried just a 3-point lead heading out of the first half and four-points out of the third quarter, as the 670 Rollers were always right behind them and breathing down their necks.

But the momentum shifted and favored the Rollers heavily with five minutes left as they wore down Jezpher Navarro and the rest of the Madflex team. Once the Rollers snagged the lead as the game soon came to a conclusion, they held it down and didn’t give it up.

The Rollers’ Elijah Ye and Kian Helgen then came in clutch in crunch time as they wore down the fatigued and injury riddled Madflex team. Both team’s lead never reached double digits and it all came down to who can execute their attempts with mere seconds to go.

A huge 3-pointer from Ye put the Rollers up, 72-70 with less than 30 seconds left, and it was just uphill for them, while it went downhill for Madflex.

Madflex went into survival mode as they attempted 3-pointers to get the edge over the Rollers once more but to no avail. In the end, 6 points went unanswered as fast-break plays by Helgen gobbled up the time clock and eventually sealed the championship for the Rollers.

For the Rollers, Heman Addy led the team with 24 points, while Helgen put up 17 points, and Ye scored 14. Madflex’s Navarro claimed a game-high 28 markers, while Christian Lucero contributed 20, and Onick Ragbonshe scored 12.

Rollers assistant coach John Paul Cruz said after the finals that the matchup was intense, but their hard work paid off. “Our team fought really hard and so did theirs. It was really tough. There were some heartbreaks and some celebrations, but at the end of the day, we all represent one island, so I’m proud of everyone that played in this championship,” he said.

As for the season overall, Cruz said, “It was up and down, but we managed to pull through the end together as a team.”

The 670 Rollers was coached by CNMI Sports Hall of Famer Joe Diaz.

For Helgen, he said that their opponents played hard, but that it’s okay because, “our team played harder and that’s how we won.” As for how it feels winning the championship, he said, “It feels good. I already knew we were going to win.”

The Pokka Cup awards ceremony will be held together with the 2024 Michelob Cup awards ceremony after the championship game on June 1.

670 Rollers 76 – Addy 24, Helgen 17, Ye 14, Tengco 12, Mercado Jr. 7, Defang 2.

Madflex 70 – Navarro 28, Lucero 20, Ragbonshe 12, Sanchez 6, Ansus 2, Gutierrez 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-20, 35-38, 54-58, 76-70.