Toyota Camry beats CK Saints in nail-biting fashion

Toyota Camry had just enough fuel in its tank to edge a determined Chalan Kanoa Saints squad, 73-72, in Monday’s Saipan Rotary Summer Youth Basketball League action at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Toyota needed all it could get from each of their cagers to pull off the win, especially since Saints lethal weapon and Rotary veteran Luis Reyes was on fire throughout the entire bout.

Reyes had the hot hand from the start as he poured in 14 points in the opening half. He got solid support from Rick San Nicolas, who added eight points, but the duo’s efforts were outmatched by a balanced offensive attack by Toyota, which got six or more points from Jeff Deleon Guerrero, Aitau Barcinas, and Steve Kim to take a three-point advantage into the break, 34-31.

Reyes continued to have his way at the offensive end as the guard picked up where he left off and hit the Saints’ first basket—a three-pointer—of the second half.

Reyes, who nailed three triples in the opening half, kept shooting from downtown and including the first basket of the second half, nailed another four bombs while adding three field goals and two crucial free throws down the stretch.

San Nicolas also worked his way for seven points in the dying minutes that put the Saints in a position to win, but their fire was extinguished as Deleon Guerrero and Javon Tarkong each drilled in 12 points, including combining for their team’s last seven points to help Toyota hold on for the win.

Reyes actually had a chance to win the game or force overtime when he was fouled in the dying seconds. The Chalan Kanoa spitfire, however, misfired on two heaves from the charity line that allowed Toyota to escape with the win.

Deleon Guerrero finished with a team-high 21 points while Tarkong contributed 16 points for Toyota.

Reyes led all scorers with 34 points, 21 of them coming from long range, while San Nicolas supported him with 15 points.

Rotary action continued yesterday with the Garapan Rollers I battling the Matansa Sparks and the San Antonio Sixers II taking on the G-Rollers III. Results were not available as of press time.

Action continues today with San Antonio squaring up against the Bwibwiis at 5:30pm.

For more information on the Rotary league, contact Jovie Omar, Elias Rangamar, or Mario Sablan at 664-2502.

Toyota 73—Deleon Guerrero 21, Tarkong 16, Kim 9, Barcinas 8, Pagarao, Ogumoro 7, L. Rangamar 4.

Saints 72—Lu. Reyes 34, San Nicolas 15, L.J. Reyes 7, Lizama 7, La. Reyes 4, G. Iglecias 4, B. Iglecias 1.

Scoring by halves: 34-31, 73-72.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Arnold Mesa.