Saipan Red captures MIBT crown

By SHAN SEMAN

Staff Reporter

The Saipan All-Stars Red squad triumphantly arrived last Sunday bearing the championship trophy of the 26th Annual Marianas Invitational Basketball Tournament.

Led by the guidance of coach Rufino Aguon, Saipan Red looked really sharp and focused throughout the tournament as they improved on last year’s second place finish to Guam by squeaking past their southern neighbors in the finals, 108-90.

After beating their rivals by only a point in opening day, 92-91. Saipan braced itself for a Guam team thirsting for revenge in the championship.

Both teams eventually played their hearts out and by halftime, Guam moved ahead by 5 points, 35-30.

But with seven returning players from 2001 runner-up team, Saipan Red found the motivation to upend Guam as they did all they could to prevent history from repeating itself.

Idip and Ruluked, who were both part of the Saipan team last year, took control of the game offensively as they led their team in scoring a whopping 78 points in the second half.

Idip would end up finishing a remarkable 33 points, while Ruluked added 22 points for the 2002 champs.

Coach Aguon’s squad thus bounced back from a disappointing loss to Palau in their opening game as they went unbeaten the rest of the way to rule the tournament.

In that game, Idip tried his best by torching the net for a game-high 27 points. Tower of Power Ambrose Ogumoro and do-it-all forward Gyles Ruluked also each chipped in with 14 points apiece.

After their unexpected loss to Palau, the team vented its angst against lowly Tinian in their Thursday game and blew away their next-door neighbor, 87-62.

Ambrose Ogumoro led the way for Saipan Red scoring 19 points, all in the second half. Idip also had a solid outing as he scored 18 points for the winners.

On Friday, Saipan Red faced undefeated Saipan Blue in a rematch of their exhibition game prior to the tournament.

Both teams played solid basketball in the opening quarter, with Saipan Red posting a slim 18-14 lead after the first 10 minutes of action.

Coach Aguon’s squad eventually extended their lead in the second canto outscoring Saipan Blue, 15-10, and by halftime, Saipan Red enjoyed a comfortable 33-24 lead.

Saipan Red then pulled away in the third quarter erupting for 28 points, while holding Saipan Blue to a measly 9 points.

Saipan Blue tried to stage a comeback late in the fourth quarter, but the lead was just too much to overhaul.

Idip sizzled as he led the way for his team, scoring 24 points, while Ruluked punched in 21.

Cedric Palacios led Saipan Blue with 16 points, while Jeremiah Deleon Guerrero and Jason Sablan each chipped in with 15 points apiece.

Saipan Red would win their next game against Tinian, and entered the playoffs as the No. 1 team.

With their opening day loss still fresh in their minds, Saipan Red played with a lot of intensity en route to a 108-90 payback victory over Palau.

Ogumoro led four Saipan Red players in double figures as he finished with a game-high 27 points. Ruluked also had an outstanding game as he dropped 25 points, while Idip and T.J. Aldan chipped in with 22 and 15 points respectively.

Other members of the Saipan Red squad include Alex Ogumoro, Carlito Mendiola, Dirk Rungunbee, Melvin Manibusan, Anthony Pange-linan, Shane Ogumoro, J.C. Kim and Kelvin Fitial.

Incidentally, Idip was named the 2002 MIBT Most Valuable Players during awarding ceremonies after the tournament

Coach Aguon was assisted on the sidelines by his assistant, Lawrence Rosario, and team manager Elias Rangamar.