Sixers, SYBA in juniors finals

Saipan Sixers and Southern Youth Basketball Association of Guam defeated separate opponents yesterday morning to advance to the finals of the 14-and-under basketball competition of the 3rd Annual Pacific Rim Youth Goodwill Tournament at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

Seeing action in the curtain raiser, Sixers escaped a fighting Garapan Rollers I team by the skin of their teeth. Leading by a deuce, Sixers gave G-Rollers I a chance to force overtime when they sent guard Nate Mateo to the free throw line.

Mateo, however, was not able to rise to the challenge, missing one of two gift shots that allowed Sixers to celebrate a 50-49 win and moved into the finals.

Manuel Ajoste essayed the role of fireman for the Sixers and finished with a team-high 21 markers. Mike Eclevia and Alvin Salas added 14 and nine points in the victory. Jericho Cruz was the lone G-Rollers I player to break into double digits, banging in a game-high 22 points.

In the second game, SYBA dethroned defending champion Oyea to the tune of 77-52 in a match-up between two teams from Guam.

SYBA wiggled out of a nip-and-tuck first half by burying Oyea with an avalanche of points in the third quarter. Oyea would never recover from that, which allowed SYBA to waltz to the championship round.

Jonathan Fayton shot the lights out and led SYBA with 21 points. Edgardo Baza and Dominic Sablan also chipped in 16 and 12 points, respectively.

SYBA’s defenders also did a number on Taji Caughman. The high-leaping guard struggled all game long and managed just four points. Joedee Reyes was the lone offensive force for Oyea and finished with 28 markers.

Over at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, defending champion Ol’Aces and the senior team of SYBA joined Saipan Sixers and Cyclones in the semifinals of the 18-and-under division.

SYBA drew first blood by routing Garapan Rollers I 90-68 in the first game. The team from Guam started like a house on fire, led by more than 20 points after the second canto and never allowed G-Rollers I to make a game of it.

Dominic Sanchez and Roke Charfauros had their strokes working for them and led SYBA with 13 points apiece. Pete Iguel was brilliant in defeat, pumping in 22, while versatile forward Vince Teregeyo fired 16 points.

In the second game, the triumvirate of Jeremy Winkfield, Paul Magcalas, and Dan Barcinas combined for 45 points, as Ol’Aces downed Tinian 64-47.

Tinian kept it close in the first quarter but Ol’Aces made adjustments in the next three and won the game in cruise control. Tinian was led by the 15 of Ton Evangelista.

14-and-under
First Game

Sixers 50 – M. Ajoste 21, Eclevia 14, Salas 9, Dela Cruz 4, Flores 2.
Garapan Rollers I 49 – Cruz 22, Castro 8, N. Mateo 7, Basila 5, D. Mateo 2.

Scoring by quarters: 6-13, 16-19, 32-29, 50-49.

Second Game

SYBA 77 – Fayton 21, Baza 16, Sablan 12, De Ocampo 11, Castro 6, Pobre 4, Dela Cruz 4, Reyes 3.

Oyea 52 – J. Reyes 28, Caugh-man 5, Duenas 5, Borja 5, Lujan 3, Taitague 2, San Nicolas 2, Quinata 2.

Scoring by quarters: 12-13, 30-22, 54-38, 77-52.

18-and-under
First Game

SYBA 90 – D. Sanchez 13, Charfauros 13, San Nicolas 11, A. Aguon 10, Duenas 9, Quinata 8, Meno 8, D. Aguon 6, Z. Sanchez 5.

Garapan Rollers I 68 – Iguel 22, Teregeyo 16, Demapan 9, Babauta 8, Tumaquip 5, Aldan 2, Omengabar 2.

Scoring by quarters: 32-14, 44-22, 64-42, 90-68.

Second Game

Ol’Aces 64 – Winkfield 20, Magcalas 15, Barcinas 10, Hocking 9, Deleon Guerrero 6, Kim 2, Babauta 2.

Tinian 47 – T. Evangelista 15, Reyes 8, Hofschneider 7, Aquiningoc 7, Tumed 2, Aldan 2, M. Evangelista 2.

Scoring by quarters: 12-10, 30-20, 47-35, 64-47.