Ada Gym leaks interrupt Rotary anew

For the second time in the young season, the 2005 Saipan Rotary Summer Youth Basketball League had to postpone its games due to unsafe court conditions brought upon the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium due to leaks on the roof.

Yesterday’s bout between the Bwibwiis and the Southern Sonics was officially called off far before game time by league official Jovie Omar. Earlier, the bout between the Bwibwiis and Saints scheduled for last Wednesday was also postponed due to the same reasons.

With that, Division of Sports and Recreation director Tony Rogolifoi expressed his disappointment with contractor Railings Pacific, Inc., which was tasked with repairing damages to the roof caused by Supertyphoon Chaba.

According to Rogolifoi, funding for the repair was attained through FEMA. Railings Pacific was awarded the job of repairing the damages, and began working on the problems three months ago.

“They were up there doing repair, and instead of solving the problem, things got worse,” Rogolifoi said, citing that the facility is faced with more leaks. “It’s unsafe and two months ago, I warned them [Railings Pacific] that rainy season is coming and that they need to start working on the roof. I told them that we’ll be seeing a lot of cancellation of games because of leaks that need to fixed.”

Rogolifoi stressed that he is trying to work with Railings Pacific to deal with the problem.

“It’s affecting and interrupting the indoor activities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Sonics earned their first win in their debut, while handing the San Antonio Sixers I their first defeat with a nail-biting 74-73 victory last Thursday.

The Sonics came back from an early deficit to knot the score at 31 apiece heading into the break, and managed to score one point better than their opponents in the second half to pull off the victory, with their final three points coming courtesy of a free throw and a bucket by Rowell Aranda.

Aranda finished with 18 points to lead the Sonics, while Jack Lizama and Lester Babauta racked up 17 and 14 points.

Guard Manuel Ajoste nailed four triples and led the Sixers I with 29 points, while Kevin Cequena and Christian Dela Cruz pumped in 15 and 11 points.

Sonics 74—Aranda 18, Lizama 17, Babauta 14, A. Echon 9, Eclevia 5, Flores 4, Ranas 2, F. Palacios 2.

Sixers I 73—M. Ajoste 29, K. Cequena 15, Dela Cruz 11, Ja. Bahillo 6, O. Ajoste 6, P. Cequena 3, Nakashima 2, Magcalas 1.

Scoring by halves: 31-31, 74-73.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Jess Pacheco.