Checkpoint still unbeaten in Eagles caging

Checkpoint is still unbeaten in the Inaugural SMEC-SMLEG Invitational Basketball Tournament 2023, after showing no mercy to still winless IT&E, 118-79, last Thursday at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Chioni Dela Cruz sped through the court and stopped everyone in their tracks as he led Checkpoint with break-neck speeds and precise attempts from within and outside the perimeter.

Dela Cruz opened up the game with back-to-back 3-pointers, and with contributions from Keith Santos, Gab Camacho, and Ron Esmores, Checkpoint’s first quarter quickly went to 29 over IT&E’s 11 points.

Dela Cruz stayed true to his form as he continued attacking from the outside, and adding a bit of flare with fast-break attempts from within the paint. He brought his team from 29 to 55 points by the end of the first quarter—with IT&E still slogging behind at 27 points.

IT&E’s Patrick Morales tried to shoulder the team’s burdens as he zoomed through the court—opening himself to passes and taking sure shots. At the end, he had a team-high 24 points, but it wasn’t enough to catch up to Checkpoints’ lead.

Arjay Giron wasn’t far behind Morales as he went for 22 markers himself. Brian Natividad added 12 points, but with the rest of the team’s less than stellar performance, Checkpoint slipped easily past them.

By the end of the game, Dela Cruz put up 29 markers, while Santos had 25, and Tony Kim contributed 22 points. Two others—Gab Camacho and Carlo Castillo made it to double digits with 12 apiece.

The other game that night was between the Winners Group and Homesmart, with the winner sticking true to its namesake with an 84-75 win.

In other results last Friday, Priority Care slipped past Loving Hands, 85-81.

Last Wednesday, CK Saints bested Vik Team, 74-57; and Legends blew Long Shot out of the court, 70-42.

Last Tuesday, Choju defeated 670 Rollers, 97-62; A Plus Team overpowered Gualo Rai Warriors-Win Pacific, 95-68.

Results of Saturday’s games and Sunday’s make-up games will be posted in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.

After the dragged-out season due to rain delays, make-up games are scheduled until Monday. Oct. 2. When all make-up games are completed, the schedule will soon follow for the playoffs.

Checkpoint 118 – Dela Cruz 29, K. Santos 25, Kim 22, G. Camacho 12, Castillo 12, Esmores 9, Agustin 5, J. Camacho 4.

IT&E 79 – Morales 24, Giron 22, Brian Natividad 12, Billy Natividad 6, Macaraig 6, Pineda 5, Jose 2, Divinagracia 2.

Scoring by quarters: 29-11, 55-27, 89-44, 118-79.