Sixers I beats HJHS in IVYBL

The San Antonio Sixers I cruised in the first three periods and settled with a 42-28 victory over Hopwood Junior High School in Wednesday’s Island-wide Village Youth Basketball League action at the Koblerville Basketball Court.

Hopwood entered the court on a cold spell and shot blanks for most of the first three periods.

Seeing the opposing team struggle, coach Ryan Nisperos’ Sixers I seized the opportunity and stormed ahead, leading 6-2 after the first period and 15-4 at the break.

San Antonio’s balanced attack picked up where it left off, this time, doubling their score with a 15-4 run that made chances of the comeback by HJHS almost impossible. The Sixers I led 32-8 as the match headed into the final eight minutes.

HJHS never gave up, though, and finally broke out of their shooting slump to give their fans something to cheer about.

Luigi Reyes and Tony Rogolifoi tag-teamed a furious charge that resulted in the team torching the net for 20 points, but the rally was too little, too late as the buzzer sounded with the Sixers still ahead by a comfortable margin.

John Kintz led the Sixers I with eight points, while Dwight Buena and Alvin Salas chipped in with seven points apiece.

Reyes and Rogolifoi led HJHS as the two combined to take credit for all but four of the team’s points. Reyes finished with a game-high 14 points, while Rogolifoi added 10.

Reyes, Rogolifoi and the HJHS troops weren’t as unfortunate last Saturday as they defeated the Sixers II, 41-25, in a makeup game held at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Rogolifoi and Felevan Fitial heated the nets for 17 and 12 points for HJHS, which led after each period en route to the 16-point victory.

Ervin Villegas and Juanito Sambile led the Sixers II with nine and eight points.

Meanwhile, the Afetnas 69ers remained the team to beat in the 14-and-under league after edging the Sixers I in a game that began on March 9 but was called off late in the match due to rain.

The two teams locked heads anew under the roof of the Ada Gym Saturday and after all the rebounds, free throws, and jump shots, the 69ers emerged with a 54-48 win in overtime.

Saipan Southern High School student Bill Babauta led the 69ers with 19 points, while Jake Maratita and Ernest Duenas supported him with 12 and10 points.

Alvin Salas scored 15 to lead the Sixers I, while Nathan Flores and Mike Eclevia contributed 10 and nine points.

WEDNESDAY

Sixers I 42—Kintz 8, Salas 7, Buena 7, Ajoste 6, Villegas 4, Blasoch 4, Del Rosario 2, Aquino 2.

HJHS 28—Reyes 14, Rogolifoi 10, Esteves 2, Fitial 2.

Scoring by quarters: 6-2, 15-4, 32-8, 42-28.

Referees: Joe Mettao and Jovie Omar.

SATURDAY

69ers 54—Babauta 19, Maratita 12, Duenas 10, Pangelinan 7, Sablan 4, King 2.

Sixers I 48—Salas 15, Flores 10, Eclevia 9, Villegas 8, Aquino 4, Ajoste 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-10, 26-19, 33-29, 42-42, 54-48 (OT).

Referees: Jovie Omar and Noel Delos Santos.

HJHS 41—Rogolifoi 17, Fitial 12, Wabol 6, Reyes 4, Ridep 2, Solomon 1.

Sixers II 25—Villegas 9, Sambile 8, Feria 4, Echon 2, Pepito 2.

Scoring by quarters: 5-3, 17-13, 28-19, 41-25.

Referees: Jonathan Tenorio and Joe Mettao.