Late game rally lifts Hoopaholics, 7-Kings win

The SaipanCell-NMC Hoopaholics barely kept their perfect record intact, while the Ghasias 7-Kings notched their second win of the season as action in the ongoing BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League continued Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Entering the game with a league-leading 8-0 win-loss card, the Hoopaholics were favorites against Ulloa’s.

They, however, got off to a slow start before pulling together for a nail-biting 71-70 victory.

Team Ulloa’s had a huge lift from versatile forward Gyles Ruluked, who looked sharp and connected for 11 points in the first quarter to highlight Ulloa’s 24-16 edge.

But Ulloa’s was held to just five field goals and a free throw in the second period, allowing Hoopaholics to work their way closer, eventually chopping the lead down to just three points at the break, 32-35.

Ulloa’s then leaned on its leading scorer in the third, and John Sablan lived up to the hype as he pumped in 10 points to help his squad widen the gap for a seven-point spread after three stanzas, 58-51.

Ulloa’s chances of being the first to hand Hoopaholics a defeat was turned back, though, as the SaipanCell-NMC squad picked up its intensity on both ends of the floor, hustled for every loose ball, and received a combined 12-point effort from Jason Amado and Jeremy Sablan before Justin Fejeran knocked in a bucket that proved to be the difference, giving the team the one-point victory.

Amado was consistent throughout the bout and led all scorers with 26 points, while Sablan and Jerry Diaz contributed 12 and 11 points, with Diaz hitting three long-range jumpers in the first half.

John Sablan led Ulloa with 20 points, while Tyrone Palacios and Ruluked added 20 and 18 points.

In the second game, Fred Pelisamen poured in 26 points and the Ghasias 7-Kings staved off a late charge by Tanapag Warriors to win 89-85.

The 7-Kings controlled much of the action, opening the second half with a 13-0 spurt to take control of the game and lead 60-37 going into the fourth and final quarter.

With their chances hanging on a thin string, the Warriors fought back and closed the gap with a 10-0 run in the first two minutes of the payoff period, 58-70.

They cut the lead to 12 points on several occasions before the 7-Kings kicked it back up to 15 points, holding that ground for a while.

The Warriors put up a desperation rally in the final two minutes, closing to within 10 points, 76-86, on free throws by Ralph Magofna with 1:20 left.

Jeremiah Deleon Guerrero then converted on a fast break layup, Magofna drilled a triple, and Jordan Suel hit another layup to cut the lead to just three points, 83-86, with less than 20 seconds left, but B.J. Tagabuel prevented the collapse by knocking in four points in the dying seconds.

B.J. Kaipat and Tagabuel supported Pelisamen with 20 and 19 points, while Jacob Pelisamen added 16 points.

Deleon Guerrero and Richard Seidler led the Warriors with 23 and 17 points, while Magofna and Suel finished with 15 and 14 points. Guard Jimmy Marquez also finished in double figures with 10 points.

First Game
Hoopaholics 71—Amado 26, Sablan 12, Diaz 11, Manibusan 9, Fejeran 8, Awes 4, Lee 2.
Ulloa 70—Sablan 20, T. Palacios 18, Ruluked 16, D. Palacios 7, G. Palacios 5, Sampson 4.
Scoring by quarters: 16-24, 32-35, 51-58, 71-70.
Referees: Ricky Itaas and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game
7-Kings 89—F. Pelisamen 26, Kaipat 20, Tagabuel 19, J. Pelisamen 16, B. Pelisamen 4, Rabauliman 4.
Warriors 85—Deleon Guerrero 23, R. Seidler 17, Magofna 15, Suel 14, Marquez 10, D. Seidler 4, Kani 2.
Scoring by quarters: 24-13, 46-37, 70-48, 89-85.
Referees: Mike White and Ray Lizama.