Women’s division’s Team Glaziers pulls off another upset in 3×3

It’s a new year, so the seeming trend is upsets and new champs as Team Glaziers defeated the women’s division reigning champs in the January NMIBF Marianas Arsenal 3×3 Basketball Series.

They defeated The Angry Penne( Ally-Oopsie Daisies), 7-4, for the title last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Team Glaziers’ Jan Travilla, Kaia Travilla, Madi Alegre, and Miki Kautz outscored defending champs Antonette Labausa, Connie Camacho, Kina Rangamar, and Irish Pagaro in the low-scoring finals.

It was a bunch of missed shots from both sides’ defensive pressure that caused the low score throughout the game. Multiple shots didn’t make it either from off-balanced throws, or just from too quick a release to get an accurate aim.

In the end, Jan and Kautz put it upon themselves to bring their team to victory as Jan scored 4 and Kautz had 3.

Kautz said it felt good beating the defending champs after their game. “It feels good, especially because of previous tournaments. Our results haven’t been what we wanted it to be. But we’ve been communicating on what we should do on our offensive plays. Defense, I think we’re pretty good. It’s all about communication with your team and I think we’ve developed it over the past couple of tournaments and we’re happy with the result,” said Kautz.

She added that “it was a lot of hard work” in the finals against The Angry Penne (Ally-Oopsie Daisies) team, who won the last two tournaments in November and December.

“Their team is filled with veterans—of course Kina is young, but she’s really good for her age. I don’t see it as dethroning yet because we still have two or three more rounds,” said Kautz. “The goal is to get to Singapore and until we’re there, I don’t see it as dethroning.”

The last two 3×3 series in November and December were won by The Angry Penne and they still have a chance of representing NMI in the FIBA Asia 3×3 Cup in Singapore.

Currently, Trail Glaziers is in the lead in the points system with 130 points; The Angry Penne is second at 90 points; Swish Kebabs are third at 70; Teine Aeto is at 30; and Dunkin’ Donuts are at 20 points.