San Antonio teams impressive in Rotary debuts

Two San Antonio-based teams took the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium by storm during the opening of the 2005 Saipan Rotary Summer Youth Basketball League Monday evening.

In the season opener, San Antonio Sixers I cruised in the first half and mustered just enough juice in the late goings to stave off a charge by Toyota Camry to escape with a 67-63 victory.

Coach Ryan Nisperos’ Sixers I came out gunning and were quick to grab the upper hand, forcing countless turnovers and taking advantage of miscues while making good on their quick transition to the offensive end to take an early 18-4 advantage.

Toyota finally settled down and began to chip into the Sixers’ lead, but still trailed by double digits heading into the break, 22-33, with the Sixers getting solid minutes from guard Manuel Ajoste, who was feeling it from beyond the arc and nailed a couple of triples.

It seemed like the Sixers were well on their way to an easy victory, controlling the action at the start of the second half. The team padded their lead courtesy of the play of Kevin Cequena, but Toyota refused to throw in the towel and stunned their opponents with a run of their own to close the gap.

Toyota went berserk for a whopping 41 points in the second half as the trio of Aitau Barcinas, Kovin Ogumoro, and Jeff Deleon Guerrero each knocked in double-figure scoring, but their effort came up just a bit short as Cequena and company held on for the four-point victory margin.

Cequena led the Sixers with a game-high 22 points, 14 of them coming in the second half, while Ajoste and Josh Nakashima supported with 18 and 11 points.

Deleon Guerrero paced Toyota with 17 points, while Ogumoro and Barcinas pumped in 15 and 13 points.

In the second game, Team San Antonio had an easier time and almost doubled up on Hoops, 81-41.

San Antonio broke the game wide open right after tip off, going on a 13-0 run with Bill Babauta nailing three field goals and Josh Sablan bombing away for a triple to spearhead the attack.

Sablan and Babauta tormented Hoops like a hot knife cutting through butter, each working their way for 11 points in the first half and helping their team take a 24-point cushion into halftime, 44-20.

The two relaxed a bit when action resumed, but San Antonio’s high scoring continued. Preston Basa seized every opportunity he got and went off for 11 points in the final 20 minutes, while the rest of coach Ray Duenas’ boys faired well in support to cap their debut with style.

Babauta finished with 17 points to lead all scorers, while Basa and Sablan contributed 15 and 13 points.

Angel Palacios and Alex King led Hoops with 11 and 7 points.

League action continues today with BwiBwiis taking on the Saints at 5:30pm.

First Game

Sixers I 67—Cequena 22, Ajoste 18, Nakashima 11, Je. Bahillo 6, Encio 4, Lim 4, Manansala 2.

Camry 63—Deleon Guerrero 17, Ogumoro 15, Barcinas 13, Itibus 6, L. Rangamar 4, Babauta 4, Santos 2.

Scoring by halves: 33-22, 67-63.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game

San Antonio 81—Babauta 17, Basa 15, Jo. Sablan 13, Ja. Sablan 8, Palacios 8, B. Sablan 4, Alvarez 3, Duenas 3, G. Sablan 2, M. Sablan 2, Blas 2, Pangelinan 2.

Hoops 41—Palacios 11, King 7, Masga 6, Dela Cruz 5, Jung 4, Esteves 3, Fejeran 2, Norita 2.

Scoring by halves: 44-20, 81-41.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Dado Vistal.