7-Kings pull off upset, G-Rollers edge Ulloa’s

The Ghasias 7-Kings showed just why the playoffs are a totally different stage.

Last year, the 7-Kings—known as the Brothers—entered the playoffs as the lowest seed but dismantled the defense of higher ranked opponents to reach the title bout and finished as the runner-up.

This year, the 7-Kings are seeded sixth and kicked off their playoffs campaign the way they wanted to, pulling off an upset by routing third-seed San Antonio Wildcats,113-86, Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, advancing to play the SaipanCell-NMC Hoopaholics tonight.

The 7-Kings controlled the game from opening tip off until the sound of the final buzzer, with captain and this year’s scoring champion Fred Pelisamen rifling away for an eye-popping 53 points.

Pelisamen penetrated through the San Antonio defense like hot knife going through butter as he helped his team get off on the right foot with 14 points in the opening 10 minutes. Brother Benedict also had the hot hand and drilled a couple of triples as well as a field goal, enabling the 7-Kings to take an early 30-21 lead.

The run-and-gun show carried over to the second period, but holding the favor again was Ghasias, which leaned on their captain to outscore the opposition and take a 55-41 advantage at the break.

The 7-Kings showed no signs of slowing down and continued to run on all cylinders as the second half got underway.

Fred Pelisamen continued his scoring spree, dazzling the crowd with acrobatic shots in the paint. With the Ghasias go-to-guy on fire and his supporting cast also having their way, the 7-Kings outscored their opponents, 28-19, to take a commanding 23-point lead into the fourth quarter, 83-60.

The Wildcats weren’t about to throw the towel just yet, and closed the gap as the 7-Kings began to relax on both ends of the floor. The one-two punch of guard Julian Ranas and center Alison Kaipat attacked the 7-Kings with a fury, drilling shot after shot to cut the deficit, but the closest San Antonio got was within 14 points before the 7-Kings recovered and sailed to the lopsided victory.

B.J. Kaipat and Benedict Pelisamen finished with 15 and 14 points for the 7-Kings, while J.R. Ngeskebei and Ranas led the Wildcats with 20 and 18 points.

In the first game, coach Joe Diaz and his Garapan Rollers played consistently for four quarters to beat Ulloa’s, 80-72.

The G-Rollers led by just two points at the break, 36-34, but came out firing in the third period to break the game open. Shooter Brian Flores got things started by drilling up two bombs from downtown, and a balanced attack enabled the G-Rollers to wear down Ulloa’s to stretch their lead to double figures, 63-51.

Brothers John and Josh Sablan tried to bring their team closer, each connecting for a triple in the last 10 minutes, but the play of center Kelvin Fitial and guards Jose Tumaquip and Pedro Iguel kept the G-Rollers ahead.

With the win, Diaz and company advanced to play pennant champion Toyota Prius at 6:30pm tonight.

Tumaquip had his game face on and finished with 21 points, while Iguel and Fitial pumped in 20 and 17 points to lead the G-Rollers.

John Sablan and Tyrone Palacios led Ulloa’s with 22 points apiece, while Gyles Ruluked added 10 points.

The Wildcats and Ulloa’s battle on Monday, with the loser eliminated from the playoffs.

First Game
G-Rollers 80—Jos. Tumaquip 21, Iguel 20, Fitial 17, Flores 6, Jones 4, Hockins 3, Teregeyo 2.
Ulloa’s 72—Joh. Sablan 22, T. Palacios 22, Ruluked 10, Jos. Sablan 8, G. Palacios 8, D. Palacios 2.
Scoring by quarters: 14-13, 36-34, 63-51, 80-72.

Second Game
7-Kings 113—F. Pelisamen 53, B. Kaipat 15, B. Pelisamen 14, Je. Kaipat 9, J. Pelisamen 8, Tagabuel 6, Ja. Kaipat 4, Taisakan 4.
Wildcats 86—Ngeskebei 20, Ranas 18, Kaipat 12, Echon 10, Sablan 9, Lizama 6, Kapileo 4, Basa 3, Taitano 2, Yu 2.
Scoring by quarters: 30-21, 55-41, 83-60, 113-86.