Undefeated FMS throttle MCS for title

The undefeated Francisco M. Sablan Middle School Napu Riders dismantled the Mount Carmel School Knights, 54-7, to wrap up their dominant season with a championship in the IT&E Interscholastic Boys Middle School Basketball League 2024-2025 last Saturday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The Napu Riders had a relatively easy path to the finals as they were undefeated in the regular season and in the playoffs. They took their momentum and went full steam ahead in the finals against the Knights.

The much more experienced and older FMS team blew the Knights out of the water from the jump ball as they allowed just 2 points in the first half.

It was in stark contrast to the Napu Riders’ offense with effortless and consecutive takes at the basket by leading scorer Logan Daniel. At the end of the first half, he scored 10 points to help his team lead, 25-2.

The Knights couldn’t establish a rhythm and weren’t able to penetrate FMS’ defenses until about nine minutes left into the second half when Daniel Camacho converted a 3-pointer. That, however, didn’t even leave a dent in FMS’ lead as they just went about their ways and continued to make it rain buckets.

Only 2 more points would add to MCS’ total, while FMS’ Leon Duenas, Kory Chaikhamian, Kyler Laniyo, and the rest of the starting five and bench players contributed to their championship run.

Dezmon Camacho, Logan Daniel, Leon Duenas, Jairus Pangilinan, Greg Teregeyo, Gavin Rogolifoi, Kory Chaikhamian, Kelvin John, Javiun Sablan Jr., Kyler Laniyo, Worthy Degang, John Rebuenog, Aiden Gimed, and Andrei Tenorio made up the FMS championship team.

The Knights included Leighton Tenorio, Landon Igisomar, Xin Le Steven Song, Elijah Dela Cruz, James Matsumoto Jr., Leonmar Regalado, Kainoa Tenorio, Joey Mostales, Lyam Villagomez, Donald Tagabuel Jr., Gonshiro Sasamoto, Daniel Camacho, and Ye Lei Bruce Song.

Third place was Hopwood Middle School Hilitais after they lost to MCS, 26-17.

FMS head coach Dexter Tenorio was interviewed after the awards ceremony. He said this season, “We were prepared. Six months before the league, we prepared. It was unexpected with MCS. I’m speechless this time because the trophy and the championship are back with FMS.”

The championship bounces back and forth from HMS to FMS as last season, FMS lost to HMS, while the year before that, FMS were the champions. FMS were also the champions during the school year 2021-2022.

With that, Tenorio said, “I would just like to thank all the teachers, supporters, and the students who listened to us… As well as my assistant coaches Ezekiel Macario and Michael Suazo.”

As to what was different with his team this season than last season, he said, “last year, they were all just overconfident. I just changed their attitude—I told them there should be no unselfish players and to work as a team.”

Tenorio then said that 12 players of the varsity team are promoting to high school, so the junior varsity players will step up to the plate next season and defend the title. The FMS JV team went undefeated this season too.

FMS 54 – Daniel 12, Duenas 8, Chaikhamian 5, Laniyo 5, Tenorio 4, Pangilinan 4, Sablan Jr. 4, Teregeyo 3, John 3, Rogolifoi 2, Defang 2, Rebuenog 2.

MCS 7 – Daniel Camacho 3, David Camacho 2, James Matsumoto 2.

Scoring by halves: 25-2, 54-7.