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Reyes, Tarkong are Rotary basketball MVPs
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Posted on Oct 23 2006
Showcasing leadership throughout the regular season and playoffs, L.J. Reyes of the Chalan Kanoa Saints and Jayvan Tarkong of recently crowned champion Garapan Rollers I were recognized as the most valuable players of the 2006 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League.
The two led a topnotch cast of individual awardees, which also included Jon Ada and Keoni Chariton of the G-Rollers I, Zack Tudela and J. R. Concepcion of the G-Rollers III, and Manuel Matagolai of the Matansa Sparks.
Reyes was named regular season MVP after playing a crucial role in the Saints campaign. With the veteran leading the way, the Saints were able to stun defending champion Southern Sonics and San Antonio Sixers to finish in second place with an 8-2 win-loss record.
Reyes was phenomenal in the 10 games as his leadership on the court gave his team confidence to compete against quicker and bigger players, as well as draw attention from the defense, which gave his teammates more space to work with. He finished ninth in the league in scoring, averaging 13.2 points per game.
For his part, Tarkong gave his team a much-needed lift not only at the offensive end, but defensively as well. The forward scored 16 points to help the team beat the San Antonio Sixers for the title on Friday, with 12 of the markers coming in the second half.
Tarkong’s defense also accounted for countless forced shots by the opposition, and the young gun teamed up well with towers Ada and Guy Mosley to make it harder for the Sixers to penetrate and score, especially in the second half.
In the regular season, Tarkong finished among the leaders in rebounds and blocks with 78 boards and eight swats.
For his part, Ada finished as the king of swats as he blocked 21 shots. Concepcion was the rebound king after grabbing a whopping 113 boards, while Tudela led the league with 71 steals. Chariton was the best set-up man in the league as he dished out 47 assists.
It was no surprise that Matagolai finished the season as the scoring champion as he tormented opposing defense for a total of 246 points.
