Ulloa’s knock off G-Rollers in 25-and-under

Ulloa’s kept their title hopes alive in the 2005 BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League, pushing all the right buttons to eliminate the Garapan Rollers Friday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

With the 95-86 victory, Ulloa’s set up a do-or-die bout against Ghasias 7-Kings Monday night at 6:30pm, with the winner earning the final championship game slot and the loser settling for third place.

Both teams showed they were determined to extend their season another game, battling neck and neck in the opening period. Like they’ve done all season long, Ulloa’s relied on their long distance shooting touch, getting two triples from Josh Sablan and another courtesy of John Sablan to take a slim three-point advantage, 22-19.

The G-Rollers put up a solid response in the second quarter as speedster Ben Jones raced away for eight points while Ton Pangelinan found his groove and knocked in a couple of long range jumpers, spearheading Garapan ahead to a two-point halftime lead.

The battle remained tightly contested, however, Ulloa’s managed to regain the upper hand stretch it to double digits. The Sablan brothers were again magnificent in heading Ulloa’s bid, with Josh adding another nine points to his name and John drilling another two tree-pointers. While the two had their way offensively, the G-Rollers rolled into a cold spell and were held under the 10-point margin while allowing Ulloa’s to go off for 21 points.

With the offensive struggle, the G-Rollers headed to the pay off period down by 10 points, 55-65.

Ulloa’s managed to widen their lead in the first two minutes of the fourth stanza, going up by as much has 16 points, but just when it seemed the Sablan brothers and company were about to stroll to another win, coach Joe Diaz and his troops put up a desperation attack and clawed themselves to within six points, 79-85, with under three minutes remaining.

Gunner Pedro Iguel, who ignited the comeback run, continued to put up positive numbers in the dying minutes and the G-Rollers full-court defensive pressure enabled them to force several turnovers and keep close, but the ball handling skills of John Sablan, baskets by Josh Sablan and Tyrone Palacios was just enough to get Ulloa’s over the hill and survive the late G-Rollers push.

Josh Sablan led all scorers and finished with 28 points while forward Gyles Ruluked and John Sablan pumped in 18 and 16 points. Slotman Gus Palacios also had a solid outing and contributed 14 points.

Iguel led the G-Rollers with 23 points while Kelvin Fitial supported with 16 points. Jones and Seth Hockins chipped in with 10 points apiece.

Ulloa’s 95—Jos. Sablan 28, Ruluked 18, Joh. Sablan 16, G. Palacios 14, T. Palacios 7, D. Palacios 6, Ja. Sablan 4, R. Palacios 2.

G-Rollers 86—Iguel 21, Fitial 16, Jones 10, Hockins 10, Teregeyo 8, Jos. Tumaquip 7, Pangelinan 6, Joe. Tumaquip 4, Flores 2, Ada 2.

Scoring by quarters: 22-19, 44-46, 65-54, 95-86.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Jess Pacheco.