Madflex, 670 Rollers to face off in Pokka champs

Madflex and 670 Rollers are set to face off in the 2024 Pokka Cup championships after defeating their foes last Tuesday and Wednesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Madflex took on Prospects and defeated them, 70-46, last Tuesday.

Prospects had a tough time against Madflex who not only controlled the paint, but also converted 3-pointers. Madflex’s Christian Lucero and Jezpher Navarro went back-to-back from the 3-point range early on and by the end of the first quarter, had a dominating, 21-8 lead.

Carl Sanchez then took the spotlight in the second quarter with multiple trips to the charity line, then was complemented by another three from the hands of Navarro. The Prospects were kept to another dismal single-digit run and ended the first half with a 15-point deficit, 17-32.

The bench along with Lucero and Navarro kept the shots coming as the Prospects’ hope for a comeback wilted away with each conversion.

Prospects tried to get back into it toward the end of the game, but by then, Madflex already blew it wide open.

Lucero put up a game-high 22 points followed by Navarro’s 20, while Sanchez had 10 of his own. For Prospects, Leon Duenas scored the most with 9, while Liam Wilson-Sablan and Keith Agulto had twin 8s.

In the Rollers and Team Marianas’ game last Wednesday, the young ballers took down the women’s national team, 81-45.

The Rollers set the tone in the first half. 37-21, in what would be an eventual blow out game

Marc Tengco, James Matsumoto Jr., Elijah Ye, and Kian Helgen became the 1-2-3 knockout punches that kept Team Marianas down in the dumps.

Tengco put up 20, Matsumoto scored 13, while Ye and Helgen had 12 markers each.

Team Marianas’ Azzy Fatialofa was the mainstay who tried to steer the team in an upward direction, but the Rollers’ lead was too steep a hill to climb. In the end, Faitalofa was the only player for Team Marianas in double digits at 21, while Kaia Travilla scored 9, and Yasmeen Younis had 7 points.

The championship game is set for 6pm this Friday, May 17 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Tuesday

Madflex 70 – Lucero 22, Navarro 20, Sanchez 10, Ansus 5, Ragbonshe 4, Esdrelon 3, Caraig 3, Gutierrez 2, Pelisamen 1.

Prospects 46 – leon Duenas 9, liam Wilson-Sablan 8, keith Agulto 8, logan Daniel 8, Apatang 3, Demapan 2, Sablan Jr. 2, Chaikhamjam 2, Nigotel 1.

Scoring by quarters: 21-8, 32-17, 54-28, 70-46.

Wednesday

670 Rollers 81 – Tengco 20, Matsumoto Jr 13, Ye 12, Helgen 12, Basa 8, Camacho 5, Sasamoto 4, Addy 3, Pineda 2, Defang 2.

Team Marianas 45 – Fatialofa 21, Travilla 9, Younis 7, Kautz 6, Alegre 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-11, 37-21, 59-35, 81-85.