G-Rollers I caps perfection with title

Garapan Rollers I won the 2004 Inter-Village Youth Basketball League championship after rallying to a 60-58 win against the 69ers Friday night at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

Down by 10 points with a little over five minutes left in the contest, G-Rollers I buckled down to work and tied it all up at 58-all on a free throw by point guard Joemar Tumaquip with 42 seconds remaining.

Following fruitless thrusts from both teams to shatter the deadlock, G-Rollers I finally got the opportunity to go ahead after league scoring champion Preston Basa of the 69ers used his fifth and final foul on Don Teregeyo, with 15 seconds left and his team in the penalty.

The 13-year-old forward proved up to the task and calmly sank both gift shots to give G-Rollers I its first lead since late in the second quarter.

The 69ers were handicapped in the last seconds with Basa exiled to the bench and could only come up with haphazard attempts to send the game into overtime.

G-Rollers I players on the court, players on the bench, and their supporters on the stands delighted as the 69ers flubbed their final shots and all of them erupted in celebration as the final buzzer sounded.

It was a gut-wrenching win for G-Rollers I. The team already took a blow after regular season MVP Robert Naraja went to the Philippines for vacation just before the playoffs started.

After outdueling sister team Garapan Rollers II and then ousting defending champion Saints in the playoffs, G-Rollers I faced an uphill battle minus their No. 1 offensive weapon against Basa and the 69ers in the finals.

The 69ers also proved they were prepared against the G-Rollers I after losing by more the 20 points to the same team during the eliminations.

They would take the first quarter 17-15 and clung to a 27-26 lead at halftime. Basa was automatic from the free throw line in the third as the 69ers opened up a 46-41 lead on their rivals.

The 69ers appeared headed for victory after erecting a 55-45 with 5:36 left but G-Rollers I emerged from a timeout a different team and went on a 15-3 run to end the ballgame.

Vince Teregeyo was named playoffs MVP after scoring 19 points, hauling down double-digit boards and issuing his fair share of assists in the finals. Tumaquip, who pumped in 7 points in the fourth, also scored 16 and sharpshooter Joe Pangelinan, 11, in the win.

Basa finished with a game-high 26 points for the 69ers but only 2 points in the fourth. Jake Maratita chipped in 11 and Bill Babauta 8 points in the loss.

In the battle for third, Spiders salvaged the second runner-up trophy after beating the Saints 38-34.

Kevin Aldan led the Spiders with 10 points with Ryan Manglona chipping in 8. Ben Guerrero and Joe Kim paced the Saints with 10 and 9 markers, respectively.

In the awards ceremony held at the Minatchom Atdao pavilion immediately after the championship, all four teams received their trophies from Rep. Janet Maratita and representatives of Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela.

G-Rollers I also took home the pennant championship after a spotless 11-0 mark in the eliminations, while their sister team Garapan Rollers II bagged the sportsmanship award.

First Game

Spiders 38 – Aldan 10, Manglona 8, King 7, Mateo 7, Blesoch 4, Ilek 2.

Saints 34 – Guerrero 10, Kim 9, Villegas 7, La. Reyes 4, Salas 3, Lu. Reyes 1.

Scoring by quarters: 14-10, 16-15, 30-25, 38-34.

Referees: Joe Mettao and Jovy Omar.

Second Game

Garapan Rollers I 60 – V. Teregego 19, Tumaquip 16, Pangelinan 11, D. Teregeyo 3, Castro 3, Moses 2, Tellei 2, Lizama 2.

69ers 58 – Basa 26, Maratita 11, Babauta 8, Arriola 6, Pangelinan 6, White 1.

Scoring by quarters: 15-17, 26-27, 41-46, 60-58.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Gabriel White.