Hoops still perfect, Wildcats slip by G-Rollers

The SaipanCell-NMC Hoopaholics continued to show why they are the team to beat in the ongoing BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League, scoring their 10th straight win and keeping their perfect record intact, while the San Antonio Wildcats put up a strong fight in the dying minutes to leave the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium on a winning note Monday night.

The Hoopaholics were put to the test in the early goings against the Tanapag Warriors before controlling the second half for a 79-65 victory.

The Warriors matched their powerhouse opponent in the first 10 minutes, 16-16, as Jimmy Marquez, Jeremiah Deleon Guerrero, and Jordan Suel combined to take credit for their team’s share of points.

Tanapag continued to hang around and prevented the SaipanCell-NMC team from pulling away. They trailed by just two field goals at the end of the first half, 31-35.

With instructions from head coach Rufino Aguon, the Hoopaholics entered the second half with a flurry of baskets and worked their lead to a comfortable margin, using a 12-4 run to close the third quarter up by 17 points, 60-43.

Forward Pete Mendiola then took care of much of the offensive load in the payoff period and the Hoopaholics moved the ball well, getting high percentage shots while forcing turnovers at the defensive end to stroll to the win.

Mel Manibusan led the Hoopaholics with 18 points, while Mendiola and Jason Amado added 17 and 15 points. Jeremy Sablan also chipped in 11 points.

Deleon Guerrero led the Warriors with a game-high 22 points, while Marquez and Ziddy Johannes contributed 13 points apiece.

Earlier, the Wildcats bounced back after seeing its 13-point lead disappear and defeated the G-Rollers, 79-76.

The Wildcats had everything going their way in the first half, closing with a 46-33 advantage, but all that was erased in the third period as Kelvin Fitial, Pete Iguel, and the rest of the G-crew battled back and outscored the opposition 23-8 to take a 56-54 lead.

Preston Basa then worked his magic well for the Wildcats, coming up with another late-game push to lead his team to victory.

Forward Henry Sablan and guard Tyler Yu led the Wildcats with 13 and 12 points, while Basa finished with 11 points, all scored in the fourth period. Adrian Echon also added 10 points.

Fitial finished with 25 points, while Iguel and Brian Flores banged in 14 points each.

League action continues tonight as Toyota Prius take on Ulloa’s at 6:30pm and the G-Rollers battle the Ghasias 7-Kings at 8pm.

First Game

Wildcats 79—Sablan 13, Yu 12, Basa 11, Echon 10, Lizama 9, Kaipat 6, Kiyoshi 6, Kapileo 2.

G-Rollers 76—Fitial 25, Iguel 14, Flores 14, Hockins 9, Jos. Tumaquip 7, Teregeyo 4, Joe. Tumaquip 3.

Scoring by quarters: 23-18, 46-33, 54-56, 79-76.

Referees: Gabriel White and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game

Hoopaholics 79—Manibusan 18, Mendiola 17, Amado 15, Sablan 11, Fejeran 7, Kapwich 7, Garcia 2, Diaz 2.

Warriors 65—Deleon Guerrero 22, Marquez 13, Johannes 13, Magofna 8, Suel 7, San Nicolas 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-16, 35-31, 60-43, 79-65.

Referees: Mike White and Dado Vistal.