G-II stops Kings, Reyes still leads IVYBL scoring

Cagers of the Garapan Rollers II won their third game of the season after defeating the Chalan Kanoa Kings, 31-27, Wednesday evening in the ongoing 2006 Island-wide Village Youth Basketball League at the C.K. District 1 Basketball Court.

G-II had to rally after getting off to an icy start. The team managed to put up just one point in the opening quarter and quickly fell behind as the Kings combined for seven points for the early lead.

The G-II crew were able to close in with an eight-point effort in the second period to cut their deficit to two field goals, 9-13, but they were not able to keep pace as the Kings retaliated with a stronger attack at the start of the second half to hold a 22-13 spread heading into the final minutes of the bout.

With their backs against the wall, G-II unleashed a furious push as Jason Palacios and Rico Peters spearheaded an 18-5 run that was enough to swing favor to their corner for the win.

Palacios finished with 10 points to lead G-II, while Edward Salito paced the Kings also with 10 points.

Meanwhile, league organizers released an updated scoring race, which saw Saints veteran shooter Luizi Reyes still leading the pack after tormenting opponents for 149 points in seven bouts for an average of 21 points per game.

Far behind Reyes is Matt Duenas of the undefeated San Antonio Sixers I, who has played in the same number of games and has punched in 98 points for an average of 14 points per game.

The second half of the Saints’ one-two punch follows as Zack Tudela sits in the No. 3 spot with an average of 12.7 points per game after knocking in 76 points in six games, while Joe Taitano of the Sixers II and Josh Moses of the Garapan Rollers I are right behind with averages of 11.4 and 11.3 points per outing. Taitano has 57 points in five games while Moses has connected for 68 points in six games.

G-II guard Mike Bondoc is next in line with an average of 10.2 points per game after recording 51 points in five outings, while teammate Jason Palacios follows with an average of 10.1 points per game as he has pumped in 71 points in seven games.

Edward Salito and Scott Blewett of the Kings have also played seven games apiece, with Salito posting 70 points for a 10-point average and Blewett scoring 67 points for an average of 9.6 points per game.

Rounding up the Top 10 is Ben Iglecias of the Saints as he has 58 points in seven games for an 8.2 average.

G-II 31 – Palacios 10, Bondoc 4, Peters 4, Danas 3, Deleon Guerrero 2, Auellerio 2, Hocog 2, Reyes 2, Vertu 2.
Kings 27 – Salito 10, Blewett 7, Catap 3, Camacho 3, Dela Cruz 2, Buekis 2.
Scoring by quarters: 1-7, 9-13, 13-22, 31-27.
Referees: Joe Mettao and Jovie Omar.