Blue Haus advances to masters finals vs A Plus Team

Blue Haus blew JSN out of contention, 93-60, in their last semis matchup of the Inaugural SMEC-SMLEG Invitational Basketball Tournament 2023 last Thursday at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Blue Haus will once again face off with A Plus Team-Saipan Marine Corp. in the much-awaited finale scheduled for this Saturday at the Koblerville Gymnasium.

It was a “three” for all with Blue Haus capitalizing from the outskirts and extending their lead to 29 points, 79-50, at the end of the third quarter.

Jay-R Barrios and Elmer Esdrelon tag-teamed and gave Blue Haus the extra push they needed to get out of the second quarter when JSN trailed by just five points, 39-44. JSN’s try for a comeback was quickly dashed as Blue Haus blew the game wide open in the third quarter.

Blue Haus’ Tony Diaz provided cover from the inside with his fast-break drives which resulted in and-1s, while Barrios and Esdrelon gunned firepower from outside the perimeter.

It was too little too late for JSN to play catch-up in the fourth quarter as Blue Haus synched up and almost all the shots they took resulted in baskets—while JSN were reduced to just 10 points.

In the end, Esdrelon put up 19 markers, Diaz had 18, and Barrios had 17.

JSN’s Bernard Montano scored 18, while Cecilio Bisana collected 12 points, and former Blue Haus big man Bruce Berline scored 11.

Blue Haus came out of the ashes after first losing to A Plus in a close game in their first semis game, then won against Legends right after. Blue Haus ended the regular season with just one loss while A Plus were and is currently undefeated.

Results of Checkpoint vs. The Game Eats Easy semis will be posted in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.

Blue Haus 93 – Esdrelon 19, Diaz 18, Barrios 17, Capalad 13, Chan 5, De Dios 5, Atiogue 2, Peredo 2.

JSN 60 – Montano 18, Bisana 12, Berline 11, Olaitiman 6, Pelisamen 6, Tabora 5, Joyner 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-15, 44-50, 79-50, 93-60.