Toyota, Hoopholics debut strong

Toyota Prius and Hoopholics ushered in the start of the Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands 25-and-under Basketball League with convincing wins Friday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Seeing action in the nightcap, Prius debuted with much fanfare, racing to several 30-point leads before allowing Garapan Rollers to make it interesting in the closing minutes before prevailing 112-105.

The boys and girls of 2004 NMASA Coach of the Year Elias Rangamar—standouts Connie Camacho and Chariss Ruluked suited up for the team—didn’t waste anytime and spotted G-Rollers 9-0 in the first three minutes of the contest.

But Garapan, behind the strong inside game of Ryan Mendoza and Kelvin Fitial, fought back and managed to come as close as four points. But Ol’Aces made another to close the opening quarter, which it took 30-22.

It was all Prius in the second stanza, as Mighty Mouse Mike Olaitaman and reserve center Mel Tagabuel rose up to the challenge.

Rangamar also sprung a full-court trap against Joe Diaz and his players, forcing countless turnovers that resulted in unmolested fastbreak opportunities for his players.

After the end of one half of play, Ol’Aces found itself on top by a whopping 25 points, 55-30.

It would only go from bad to worse in the third quarter for Garapan, as Prius continued to pull away behind human pogo sticks Jeremy Winkfield and Dan Barcinas.

The game was essentially garbage time in most parts of the third, which allowed Ranagamar to play his reserves.

But even with Ol’Aces’ second unit on the floor, Garapan failed to make any headway and still faced a monster 25-point deficit, 59-84, going into the fourth and final quarter.

That would change in the payoff period. After sleepwalking most of the game, Garapan players finally awoke from their deep slumber to make a game of it—albeit they did much of the overhauling against second and third stringers.

First it was down to 18 points, then to 13, and then to 92-83 with still six minutes to go in the ballgame.

By that time, Rangamar had had enough and reinserted his starting five. It was just in time, as Dexter Dillay scored a deuce, Olaitaman hit a floater from the side, Barcinas strolled in for a layup, and Ambrose Ogumoro hit a surprise three to give Prius a 104-93 lead with 2:29 remaining— and the team held on the rest of the way.

Barcinas led six Prius players in double figures with 24. Winkfield was good for 23, Olaitaman 19, Ogumoro 14, and Tagabuel 10.

Mendoza paced Garapan’s losing cause with 24, while Pete Iguel, Kelvin Fitial, Jose Tumaquip, and Derrick Tudela tossed in 11 or more points.

In the first game, Hoopholics spoiled a 38-point night by sharphooter Freddie Pelisamen to post a 98-79 win against Ghasias Brothers.

Rookie Jason Amado led the defending champions with 26 points, while big men James Villacrusis and Sivas Awes added 12 and 11, respectively.

Billy Joe Kaipat was the only other Ghasias Brothers player to break into double figures with 18.

First Game

Hoopholics 98 – Amado 26, Villacrusis 12, Awes 11, Diaz 10, Sablan 9, Manibusan 6, Fejeran 6, Kapwich 2, Lee 2.

Ghasias Brothers 79 – F. Pelisamen 38, B. Kaipat 18, B. Pelisamen 9, B. Tagabuel 5, J. Kaipat 5, Rabauliman 3, Babauta 1.

Scoring by quarters: 22-12, 53-47, 67-60, 98-79.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game

Toyota Prius 112 – Barcinas 24, Winkfield 23, Olaitaman 19, A. Ogumoro 14, Tagabuel 10, Dillay 10, K. Ogumoro 6, Iguel 4, Seman 2.

Garapan Rollers 105 – Mendoza 24, Iguel 18, Fitial 16, Jo. Tumaquip Tudela 11, Joe. Tumaquip 9, Magcalas 4, Flores 3, Demapan 2, Jones 2, Teregeyo 2, Pangelinan 1.

Scoring by quarters: 30-22, 55-30, 84-59, 112-105.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Jovie Omar.