Undefeated Choju sweeps Savemore for Season 2 title

Choju made light work of Savemore as they swept the championship series of the Legends Sports Association Invitational Basketball League Season 2 at the Gillette Multi-Purpose Gymnasium in Gualo Rai.

Choju first blew out Savemore in Game 1, 114-66, last Thursday, and quickly wrapped up the series in Game 2 last Saturday, 64-58.

In a jam-packed gym, Choju fans brought down the house with their loud cheers after each basket in their last game. Although Choju won it all eventually, it was a close game unlike last Thursday as Savemore kept pace in the first half.

Choju’s lead was at an uncomfortable 2 points, 32-30, by the end of the first half. But Choju opened up the second half with a renewed vigor as they tried to escape the clutches of Savemore with a 3-pointer by Kaipo Dikito to make it 35-30.

A few attempts by Savemore came up empty and Choju’s 5-point lead remained until Romano Vicente broke the ice to make it 32-35 three minutes later.

The cat-and-mouse game went on throughout, but Choju’s more rugged and youthful team managed to hold on to a double-digit lead with less than 10 minutes left. Choju then began to pull further away and keep their double-digit spread.

Savemore’s attempts at the basket became more and more inaccurate as the pressure spiked up while time wound down. Multiple turnovers also allowed Choju to capitalize and convert buckets and make it 51-40 with 9:28 left.

Choju continued to ramp up their intensity while Savemore ran to and fro to try and catch up to their ever-growing deficit but to no avail. With less than two minutes left, Choju continued their reign of terror with steals left and right and had Savemore choking on their dust.

Savemore’s last hurrah at chipping away at Choju’s lead was too little too late and they conceded with a 6-point margin and handed the championship to the undefeated Choju team.

Dominic Faisao led Choju with 16 markers, while Dikito put up 13 and Jay Art Palmes scored 13. Savemore’s Mark Malinay had a game high 27 points, Moreno Martin was at 8 points, and Vicente and Julius Domine put up 6 each.

Choju’s coach Matt Iguel said after the ceremony that their perfect season was “awesome.”

He said throughout the season, “we fought hard and practiced every time, so I knew they were going to win it.” As for their opponent Savemore, he said, “they’re a good team, but we’re better.”

Iguel added their team’s strength was that they had great all-around players. He then thanked the league for hosting and putting up the season.

Results of the league’s awards will be posted in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.

Choju 64 – Faisao 16, Dikito 13, Palmes 13, Mamis 9, Pangelinan 8, Evangelista 3, Santos 2.

Savemore 58 – Malinay 27, Martin 8, Vicente 6, Domine 6, Jadoc 4, Habos 3, Saplan 2, Manangan 2.

Scoring by halves: 32-30, 64-58.