Islandwide Village Youth Basketball League Suns scorch Dandan 2
In a battle for a playoff spot in Division A of the IVYBL basketball tournament, the San Vicente Suns found the right chemistry to win Tuesday night in front of a large crowd of the San Vicente court as they were able to contain Dandan 2 to capture a berth in the four-team playoffs.
Entering the game, San Vicente was carding a 3 and 1 record and was looking at a third consecutive appearance in the post-season while Dandan 2 was also trying to make the playoffs hoping not to watch the playoffs from this sideline.
The Suns, with veteran coach Sonny Flores at the helm opposite another veteran Tony Sablan of Dandan, took his team to the extreme as they executed their plays successfully to deprive their next door neighbors a shot at the playoffs.
The Suns Leeroy Kani, held to just nine points in a heartbreaking loss to DARE 1 last weekend at the Gym, made his appearance known as he utilized his height and speed to penetrate Dandan’s defense to score a game high 26 points to carry San Vicente to victory. Adding to Dandan’s demise was Kani’s teammate Paul Magcalas’ 20
point performance, including 4 for 4 at the free throw line.
Unfortunately for Dandan, all they could do was watch in awe as they were outscored and outran by the more experienced San Vicente players.
Dandan 2 was relying heavily on their big front line of Joe Taisacan and AJ Mettao to carry some of the load but Taisacan missed a lot of crucial shots most of them right beneath the basket. Mettao on the other hand, turned the ball over numerous times which the Suns took advantage of to convert them into points. Newcomer
William Kaipat, instead ended up leading Dandan with 16 points in a losing effort.
With the win, San Vicente will face the Chalan Kanoa District 1 Hoosiers in the semifinal tonight (Jan. 14) at the Chalan Kanoa court at 6:00 p.m. Winner of that match-up will square off against the other semifinal game between DARE 1 and Gualo Rai.
The championship game will be played either on Saturday or Sunday at the Gym starting at 10:30 a.m. Trophies will be presented after the game.
Team Standings as of Jan. 11, 2O00
Division A
Team Win Loss Pct
DARE I* 4 0 1.000
San Vicente Suns* 4 1 .800
Dandan II 2 2 .500
Tanapag 2 2 .500
Capitol Hill Starzz 1 4 .250
Kagman Cougars 0 4 .000
Division B
Team Win Loss Pct
Chalan Kanoa Hoosiers* 3 1 .750
Gualo Rai Panthers* 3 1 .750
Dandan I 2 2 .500
San Antonio Sixers 2 2 .500
DARE II 0 4 .000
*Clinched Playoff birth
Leading as of 1/11/2000
Norman Torres** Panthers 4 97 24.3
Ray Mafnas Starzz 3 64 21.3
Jason Sablan Sixers 4 82 20.5
Larry Mendoza Hoosiers 4 78 19.5
John Wabol Dandan I 3 49 16.3
Adrian Baculod DARE II 4 59 14.8
Paul Magcalas Suns 5 67 13.4
Leeroy Kani Suns 5 63 12.6
Jerome Catalla Panthers 4 46 11.5
Mel Manibusan Hoosiers 4 45 11.3
**Scoring Champ
