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Toyota Wheels get back on saddle
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Posted on May 21 2004
Defending champion Toyota Wheels shook off weeks of inactivity and pummeled A’Kaupale, 75-58, Wednesday night in the BANMI Women’s Open Basketball Tournament.
Toyota Wheels took the initiative early with IVYBL veteran Kelani Iglecias and center Vanessa Mobel leading their team to an 18-10 advantage after the first quarter.
Young gun Chelsea Ruluked picked up from where Iglecias and Mobel left off in the second and Toyota Wheels remained on the driver’s seat, ahead 33-22, at lemontime.
Another IVYBL product, Mindy Torres, tried to rally A’Kaupale at the start of the third quarter but Toyota Wheels continued to hold sway with Iglecias rediscovering her touch and last year’s MVP Connie Camacho finally hitting her stride.
After three quarters of play, Toyota Wheels were in command, 54-39.
A’Kaupale leading scorer Brigid Magofna went berserk in the payoff period but it was too little, too late and Toyota Wheels celebrated with the 17-point win.
Iglecias led four Toyota Wheels players in double figures with 20 points. Camacho and Mobel added 17 and 16 points, respectively.
A’Kaupale was paced by 20 markers of Brigid Magofna. Torres also chipped in 14 points in the loss.
It was Toyota Wheels’ first win of the young season. The Microl-sponsored quintet absorbed a 65-73 reversal to Jnuwine on opening day almost a month ago, April 18.
What followed was a bunch of cancellations due to conflicting schedules, the Tinian San Jose Fiesta, and the All Schools Track and Field Championships.
From the original seven teams, the women’s league is also now down to six teams after Marianas High School and Saipan Southern decided to merge both of their teams.
Aside from Toyota Wheels, A’Kaupale, Jnuwine, and the MHS/SSHS team, other squads participating in the tournament are last year’s runner-up Junior Nationals and All-American.
Toyota Wheels 75 – Iglecias 20, Camacho 17, Mobel 16, Ruluked 10, Tokyo 7, R. Rangamar 2.
A’Kaupale 58 – B. Magofna 20, Torres 14, Accad 6, Babauta 4, Z. Magofna 4, R. Magofna 3, Taylor 3, Omar 2, Ilek 2.
Scoring by quarters: 18-10, 33-22, 54-39, 75-58.
