New Chang Ming, Team Marianas deal in Michelob, Pokka Cup opening

The 2024 Michelob Ultra Cup (men’s open division) and Pokka Cup (women’s/16U division) is underway, with New Chang Ming and Team Marianas dealing a winning hand in their respective divisions during the league’s opening games last Friday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

New Chang Ming of the Ultra Cup made light work of Lakay in a blowout 108-31 game and set the tone for the season.

From the opening whistle, it was evident that New Chang Ming would take control of the game. Their starting five went on to put double-digit leads in the first half, all the while Lakay were taking their time to settle in.

By the end of the first half, New Chang Ming led by 47 points. At the start of the second half, it was clear that Lakay wouldn’t be able to catch up, and New Chang Ming continued to put the ball in the basket.

New Chang Ming’s Daryll Foronda put up 21 markers, followed by Rodel Pastrana’s 18, and Alex Standish and Su Diwa’s 12 points each. Lakay’s Jhax Macaraig was the only player in double digits with 14 points.

In the Pokka Cup, Team Marianas escaped the clutches of youngsters in the Prospects team, 51-43.

The young guns of Prospects silenced the women of Team Marianas with a 11-1 first quarter. Only a foul shot by Madeleine Alegre whizzed past a dynamic Prospects team.

After a disappointing first showing by Team Marianas, they quickly regrouped and managed to finally get the ball in the net come the second quarter. The Prospects still had a sizeable lead though as Leon Duenas, Greg Ngotel, and Liam Wilson-Sablan kept the ball in play with their aggressiveness and great ball passing.

At the turn of the second half, Team Marianas’ momentum picked up and got in arms’ reach of the Prospects’ lead.

Azzy Fatialofa’s commanding presence on the court dwarfed the younger Prospects and took it upon herself to steal the lead with back-to-back field goals and a foul. By the end, the Prospects were stumped as the lead swung into Team Marianas’ favor, 37-32.

Team Marianas held it together in the end despite a resurging Prospects led by Wilson-Sablan, and took advantage of multiple free plays at the charity stripe.

Kaia Travilla and Fatialofa led Team Marianas with their twin 11s, followed by Alegre and Irish Pagarao’s 10 points. Prospects’ Wilson-Sablan had the most points with 12, while Daniel put up nine, and Duenas scored eight.

The other teams competing in the Michelob Ultra Cup are Akkari-Eet (1), Brothers, Lamesa, Shirley’s, Team Marianas, Pegs, Saints, Akkari Ruuw (2), Bridge Capital and the defending champions Ol’Aces.

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

New Chang Ming 108 – Foronda 21, Pastrana 18, Standish 12, Diwa 12, Ferrer 11, Broncano 8, Medina 8, Camacho 8, Bernardo 4, De Dios 4, Devero 2.

Lakay 31 – Macaraig 14, Daig 6, Camacho 5, Tamaya 2, Collage 2, Capalad 2.

Scoring by quarters: 25-8, 61-14, 80-22, 108-31.

Team Marianas 51 – Travilla 11, Fatialofa 11, Alegre 10, Pagarao 10, Camacho 4, Younis 3, Simram 2.

Prospects 43 – Wilson-Sablan 12, Daniel 9, Duenas 8, Agulto 6, Ngotel 4, John 3, Manibusan 1.

Scoring by quarters: 1-11, 17-26, 37-32, 51-43.