Hopwood edges Tinian in friendly match

Hopwood Junior High School got huge buckets from Tony Rogolifoi Jr. and Felevan Fitial to edge Tinian, 34-32, in overtime of a friendly exhibition match Saturday morning at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Tinian held the early advantage, with Aran Evangelista pumping six of his team’s seven points for a 7-4 lead after the first eight minutes of play in the 14-and-under bout.

HJHS cut to within a point at the break, 10-11, before going up 18-17 with one period remaining, but Tinian cagers Brandon Cruz and Peter Cepeda took care of business in the fourth period to force the game into overtime, 30-30.

Fitial and Rogolifoi then hit their big shots, and Tinian only managed a field goal for the final result.

Fitial finished with a team-high 10 points, eight coming in the fourth quarter, to lead HJHS while Luizi Reyes added seven points.

Evangelista led all scorers with 14 points, while Cruz and Cepeda finished with 12 and six points for Tinian.

The Tinian 18-and-under boys also saw action, scrimmaging Joe Diaz’s G-Rollers in the second game.

The teams only played one 20-minute half, which ended with the G-Rollers in front, 38-21.

Dan Mateo and Jess Iguel led the G-Rollers with eight points apiece, while Ivan Devero, Nate Mateo, and Jose Castro each had six points.

Ryan Cruz led Tinian with eight points, while Seth Manglona added six points. Aran Evangelista also saw action and pumped in five points.

The exhibitions were held prior to the Tinian athletes working out at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility. They were supposed to take part in the All Comers Meet, which was rained out.

14-AND-UNDER

HJHS 34—Fitial 10, Reyes 7, Rogolifoi 6, Villegas 6, Wabol 4, Rivera 1.

Tinian 32—Evangelista 14, Cruz 12, Cepeda 6.

Scoring by quarters: 4-7, 10-11, 18-17, 30-30, 34-32 (OT).

18-AND-UNDER

G-Rollers 38—D. Mateo 8, Iguel 8, Devero 6, N. Mateo 6, Castro 6, Untalan 4.

Tinian 21—Cruz 8, Manglona 6, Evangelista 5, Lero 2.