Sixers II spoil Makos perfect run in Rotary thriller

Veteran coach Ryan Nisperos and his San Antonio Sixers II took the spotlight in last Thursday’s Saipan Rotary Club Summer Youth Basketball League, snapping Makos’ three-game win-streak with a thrilling 64-60 victory at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

With the win, the San Antonio cagers moved up to the fourth spot in the team standings, sporting a respectable 3-1 win-loss card.

Makos seemed to be on the verge of tying the Garapan Rollers I at the top of the standings after powering through the first half behind veteran Paul Magcalas, but foul trouble late in the game and a charge by Sixers II standout Jason Bahillo proved to be too much to handle.

Magcalas and company quickly took control of the match, running and gunning for a 26-18 lead after the first quarter of play. Magcalas broke through the San Antonio defense like a hot knife cutting through butter, torching the net for 13 points to spearhead the assault.

Makos, although cooling down, continued to distance themselves from their opponents in the second stanza courtesy of cold shooting by the Sixers II, who managed to muster only one field goal.

With the Sixers II continuing to struggle from the field, Makos closed the half with a comfortable 17-point cushion, 37-20.

Tables turned at the start of the third as the Sixers II broke out of their slump and began to light up the scoreboard. Momentum quickly shifted to the San Antonio corner behind a furious run by RJ Ferrer and Leo Appelo, who fueled the comeback charge, combining for 15 points. The Sixers II outscored Makos, 33-23, in the process, and found themselves in striking distance, trailing by just 7 points with one period left.

It was all San Antonio from there as Makos struggled after Magcalas was whistled for his fifth foul.

With Magcalas out of the picture, Makos had a number of troubles on the hardcourt and failed to add a single point to their corner in the final quarter.

The Sixers II responded by capitalizing, and behind the one-two punch of Bahillo and Ferrer, stole the show and celebrated with a the hard-earned 4-point victory margin as time expired.

Bahillo finished with a game-high 22 points while Ferrer contributed with 14 points for the Sixers II.

Magcalas led Makos with 17 points while younger brother Richard supported with 10 points.

The second game of the day between sister-teams 69ers I and II was rescheduled due to lack of referees.

As of press time, results of yesterday’s matches weren’t available. Taking the court were defending champion Verizon Ol’Aces I and G-Rollers II in the opener, while the Chalan Kanoa Saints and G-Rollers were scheduled to battle it out in the night cap.

Sixers II 64—Ja. Bahillo 22, Ferrer 14, Appelo 8, Kintz 7, Eclevia 5, Kaipat 2, Je. Bahillo 2, Palacios 2, Echon 2.

Makos 60—P. Magcalas 17, R. Magcalas 10, Dela Cruz 9, Johnson 8, Hockins 4, Maday 4, Villagomez 4, Jung 4.

Scoring by quarters: 18-26, 20-37, 53-60, 64-60.