Hoopaholics and Prius continue winning ways

Powerhouses SaipanCell-NMC Hoopaholics and Toyota Prius continued their winning ways Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, slipping by determined opponents in the ongoing BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League.

Hoopaholics punched in another impressive performance, extending their unbeaten streak to eight games after trouncing the Gha-sias 7-Kings, 84-74, in the opener.

The 7-Kings had a good showing, though, keeping in striking distance the entire game behind another outstanding shooting clinic by Fred Pelisamen, who kicked off his evening by knocking in 10 points in the opening period to put his team just three points back, 17-20.

Pelisamen continued to have his way offensively and had a six-point support from older brother Ben in the second quarter as the 7-Kings inched closer, ending the half down by just a field goal, 33-35.

Hoopaholics, however, entered the second half with a stronger push, forcing the 7-Kings to commit several turnovers that led to fastbreak opportunities. Guard Darnes Kapwich also had his “A” game, pumping in seven points, while Jason Amado, Justin Fejeran, Pete Mendiola, and Mel Manibusan spearheaded a run that resulted in Team Hoops going up by as much as 10 points on a couple occasions.

By the time the third stanza ended, the SaipanCell-NMC squad was up by eight points, 57-49.

Determined to pull off an upset, the Pelisamen brothers and company put up a desperation attack in the final 10 minutes, and led by Fred’s 11 points, closed the gap before falling short.

Amado and Kapwich led Hoopaholics with 23 and 16 points. Fred Pelisamen led all scorers with 37 points, while Ben Pelisamen finished with 13 points.

In the second game, Dan Barcinas and Jeremy Winkfield each had 19 points to lead Toyota past the Garapan Rollers, 87-77.

Like the 7-Kings, the G-Rollers started the match determined to stage an upset. With forward Derrick Tudela and center Kelvin Fitial pounding the paint hard, the Garapan-based squad trailed by just five points at the end of the first period, 17-22.

Prius turned it on in the second period and widened the gap behind an 11-point salvo by Winkfield, outscoring the G-Rollers 25-17 for a 47-34 advantage at the break.

The G-Rollers, however, were not ready to give in and began chipping away at the Toyota lead, eventually narrowing the gap to six points, 55-61, with only a quarter remaining, but Barcinas kicked it up a notch, and with forward Jack Lizama heating up from the perimeter, Prius left the gym with their seventh win in eight games.

Lizama finished with 14 points, 12 coming in the second half for Prius, while Tudela and Fitial led the G-Rollers with 25 and 22 points.

Action in the 25-and-under continues tonight with Ulloa’s taking on the San Antonio Wildcats at 6:30pm and Prius banging heads with the 7-Kings at 8pm.

First Game

Hoopaholics 84—Amado 23, Kapwich 16, Fejeran 13, Sablan 10, Manibusan 9, Mendiola 8, Lee 3, Diaz 2.

7-Kings 74—F. Pelisamen 37, B. Pelisamen 13, J. Pelisamen 5, Mike 4, Ja. Kaipat 4, I. Kaipat 2, Rabauliman 2, B. Kaipat 1.

Scoring by quarters: 20-17, 35-33, 57-49, 84-74.

Referees: Ray Lizama and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game

Prius 87—Barcinas 19, Winkfield 19, Lizama 14, Dillay 8, Macgalas 8, Tagabuel 6, Libuw 4, Iguel 4, Seman 4.

G-Rollers 77—Tudela 25, Fitial 22, Teregeyo 10, Jones 9, Jos. Tumaquip 7, Joe. Tumaquip 4.

Scoring by quarters: 22-17, 47-34, 61-55, 87-77.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Noel Delos Santos.