Makos back to winning ways

Makos bounced back after suffering their first loss of the season and shook off their disappointment with a lopsided 93-27 victory over the Junior Nationals Tuesday night in the ongoing Saipan Rotary Summer Youth Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

With the memory of week Thursday’s loss to the Sixers II still fresh in their minds, Makos pulverized the Marianas Basketball Tournament bronze medallists in the first half, dominating all facets of the game for a ridiculous 51-10 lead.

Makos cagers Jose Maday was all fired up in the process, breaking loose and exploding for 16 points while Quincy Johnson and Lorenzo Vilagomez sizzled for 14 points apiece to spearhead the attack.

Makos, however, weren’t able to silence all-star gunner Beverly Igitol, who ripped the net for 7 of the Junior Nationals’ 10 points, including nailing a bomb from downtown.

Makos would continue to run on all cylinders in the second half, with Johnson firing away at will and veteran Paul Magcalas sliding into the scoring action, pumping all of his 9 points in the half.

Johnson led Makos with a game-high 27 points while Maday and Villagomez finished with 26 and 22 points.

Igitol nailed another long range jumper to finish with 10 points for the Junior Nationals.

Earlier, a balanced offensive attack by the Sparks enabled them to crush the younger Garapan Rollers III, 58-34.

Zack Diaz scored all of his 10 points and Mike Reyes supported with 7 points to lead the Sparks while Ric Basilla paced the G-Rollers III with 9 points.

Rotary action continues today with defending champion Ol’Aces battling the Chalan Kanoa Saints in the opener and sister teams G-Rollers II and III face each other in the nightcap.

First game begins at 5:30pm while the second game hits at 7pm.

First Game

Sparks 58—Diaz 10, Reyes 7, M. Iguel 6, J. Iguel 6, Salas 5, Benjamin 4, Konrad 4, Ogarto 4, Manibusan 4, Patrinus 3, Ulloa 3, Jones 2.

G-Rollers III—Basilla 9, Concepcion 6, Sison 6, N. Matteo 5, Nalang 4, D. Matteo 4.

Scoring by halves: 24-11, 58-34

Second Game

Makos 93—Johnson 27, Maday 26, Villagomez 22, P. Magcalas 9, R. Magcalas 7, Jung 2, Magofna 2.

Junior Nationals—Igitol 10, Cruz 4, Diaz 4, Elayda 2, Rios 2, Ruluked 2.

Scoring by halves: 51-10, 93-27.