G-I, Saints advance with big wins

Pennant champion Garapan Rollers I sent a strong statement to other teams, while No. 2 Chalan Kanoa Saints played sharp, as the two teams advanced to the semifinals of the 2006 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League playoffs Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Highly favored against No. 8 Fotten Gaga II, the G-I cagers were determined to make their second straight finals appearance and moved one step closer by annihilating their opponents with an easy 132-57 victory.

G-I was in control from beginning to end and with every player suiting up getting into the scoring act, the team had no trouble putting the game away early.

With coach Joe Diaz calling the shots from the sidelines, G-I used its tough pressure defense to its advantage, working the scheme in hopes of fine-tuning it for upcoming battles. With the defense forcing countless turnovers, and Pedro Iguel and Jayvon Tarkong leading the team with double digit scoring, the Garapan-based squad was able to speed away for a crazy 47-point advantage at the break, 70-23.

The G-Rollers picked up where they left off and continued to play merciless basketball in the second half. The chemistry showed by Diaz’s first stringers was incredible, as the team worked the ball around really well on offense, and on defense, forced more turnovers via full-court pressure defense. By the 10-minute mark, the starters had worked the G-Rollers to the century mark.

In came the shock troopers, and despite getting off to a slow start, the reserves were able to contain the opposition and close out the game strong for the ridiculous 75-point victory margin.

Tarkong led six G-Rollers in double figures with a game-high 22 points, while Pedro Iguel and Guy Mosley worked for 18 and 16 points. Allen Moses and Vince Teregeyo also supported with 13 points apiece, while Robert Naraja pumped in 11 points.

Mark Dela Cruz led Fotten Gaga II with 18 points, while Ian Benavente and Aaron Agtarap added 14 and 10 points.

In the second game, the Saints got stiff resistance early from No. 7 Wildcats but was able to cruise ahead and stroll to a 108-87 victory.

The Wildcats surprised many in attendance in the early goings as the team kept pace with the Saints. Three-pointers by Jericho Santos and Ben Lisua, plus baskets by Dane Diaz forced C.K. to call a time out early in the period with the score 16-14 in favor of the Saints.

It remained a close game, but only for a while as the Saints dominated with their physical play, controlled the boards, and were quick on outlet passes that resulted in fast break opportunities. L.J. Reyes hit three triples and had 15 points in the first half, while his teammates gave solid support to push the Saints to a 16-point spread at halftime, 51-35.

Reyes continued to have the hot hand as he scored his team’s first four points of the second half, and forward Josh Nakashima caught fire for 18 points as the Saints hit turbo mode and easily advanced with the 21-point victory margin.

Nakashima and Reyes led the Saints with 25 and 24 points, while Juan Camacho, George Iglecias, and Derrick Nedlic supported with 12 points apiece.

Juan Diaz tried his best to lead his team and finished with 24 points, while Dane Diaz and Santos pumped in 21 and 20 points. Lisua also had 14 points.

With the results, the G-Rollers I will now face the winner of the bout between defending champion Southern Sonics and No. 5 G-Rollers II, while the Saints will play the winner of the San Antonio Sixers-Fotten Gaga I bout. The Sonics played G-II, while the Sixers battled Fotten Gaga I last night. Results were not available as of press time.

The semifinals will be held tonight with the two winners advancing to the finals on Friday. The two that lose tonight will play for third place.

First Game

G-Rollers I 132 – Tarkong 22, Iguel 18, Mosley 16, Teregeyo 13, Moses 13, Naraja 11, Tumaquip 9, Pangelinan 8, Aldan 7, Devero 4.

Fotten Gaga II 57 – M. Dela Cruz 18, Benavente 14, Agtarap 10, Cruz 4, Ano 3, Ajoste 2, Buena 2, Sumpay 2, B. Dela Cruz 1, Manansala 1.

Scoring by halves: 70-23, 132-57.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game

Saints 108 – Nakashima 25, L.J. Reyes 24, G. Iglecias 12, J. Camacho 12, Nedlic 12, Lu. Reyes 5, La. Reyes 5, Kaipat 4, Be. Iglecias 4, By. Iglecias 3.

Wildcats 87 – J. Diaz 24, D. Diaz 21, Santos 20, Lisua 14, Tudela 4, Guerrero 2, Aquino 2.

Scoring by halves: 51-35, 108-87.

Referees: Eric Artillaga and Jess Pacheco.