Hardt Eye wins 2 in a row

Hardt Eye Clinic won two games in a row at the start of the regular season games of the Ali’i Inc./Madflex Sports Summer Youth Basketball Tour 2024 Season 1 last Friday and Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In their game against Blue Haus last Saturday, they won, 51-41, for their second straight win after their win last Friday, 77-69, over Win Pacific.

Hardt Eye’s combination of stellar defense, balanced scoring, and minimal mistakes on the court was a sharp contrast to Blue Haus’ reliance on just three key players. From the opening tip off, Hardt Eye’s momentum was used to their advantage after they won their game last Friday, and punished Blue Haus with a 16-6 first quarter.

Blue Haus were kept on their heels as Hardt Eye’s team-oriented approach led to the contribution of the points from the majority of their players.

Hardt Eye’s Jezpher Navarro and Christian Lucero led the team in points, but also had help from the rest of the starting five and their bench. However, despite a big lead heading into the second, Blue Haus bounced back and was within reach, 17-22, after halting Hardt Eye’s offense and finally getting their shots in.

Blue Haus tried to keep pace with Hardt Eye throughout the game, which led to a close matchup. The give and take of points wore on as both teams tried to gain the upper hand and keep it—which led to Hardt Eye remaining on top, 36-31, at the end of the third.

Despite a valiant effort by Blue Haus’ Dane Tibayan, they came up short in the last minutes of the game as Navarro, Lucero, and Simon Romero put it away with crucial free throws, a 3-pointer, and accurate takes at the basket from within the paint.

Lucero was crowned the Player of the Game for his 14 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 1 block. Navarro had a team-high 21 points, while Simon Romero put in 7 markers.

Blue Haus’ Ibrahim Ibarola led the game with 23 points, while Dane Tibayan scored 13, and Yuan Sapo shot 5.

In the other game last Saturday, Win Pacific beat JTM Corp. by just 1 point, 45-44, while the other game last Friday was won by Blue Haus, 64-53, also over JTM Corp.

Hardt Eye leads with their two wins; Blue Haus and Win Pacific are next at 1-1; and JTM Corp. is at two losses.

Hardt Eye Clinic 51 – Navarro 21, Lucero 14, Romero 7, Pelisamen 4, Esdrelon 2, Que 2, Dilao 1.

Blue Haus 41 – I. Ibarola 23, Tibayan 13, Y. Sapo 5.

Scoring by quarters: 16-6, 22-17, 36-31, 51-41.