Jr. Nationals edge Papua New Guinea

The CNMI Men’s Junior Nationals recorded their first win in the 7th FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament after outlasting Papua New Guinea, 93-84, yesterday at the University of Guam Fieldhouse in Mangilao.

Jericho Cruz top-scored for the Junior Nationals, exploding for 29 points. Cruz was held to 10 markers in the CNMI’s debut lost to Guam Sunday night, but was unstoppable against PNG. He also posted three rebounds, six assist, and six steals for an all-around game.

But the biggest contribution came from Jayvan Tarkong and Anthony Borja, who both showed significant improvement in their second game after lackluster debuts against Guam.

Tarkong had only six markers against Guam, but nailed 18 against PNG, while the 6’3” Borja, who made only one charity in their first match, chipped in 10 and had nine rebounds yesterday.

Marvin Rabauliman continued to play a good game for the Junior Nationals, hitting 15 markers for the team’s balanced offense.

The Junior Nationals lost their debut against host Guam Sunday night, 102-61, despite having four players scoring in double figures.

Bill Babauta and Rabauliman led the Junior Nationals with 11 points apiece. Babauta is studying in UOG and he and fellow UOG student Borja only joined the Junior Nationals’ training Saturday morning.

The two other double figure scorers for the CNMI cagers were Cruz and Allen Moses, who chipped in 10 points apiece.

Aguon’s wards kept Guam within striking distance in the first period, as the host led by only seven after 10 minutes of play, 22-15.

But a 31-13 scoring in the second half helped Guam break the game wide open, taking a 53-28 halftime lead.

The CNMI cagers matched Guam’s output in the third, 23-23, before the hosts stepped on the gas anew in the fourth, hitting 26 points. CNMI ran out of steam in the fourth, making only 10 markers, its lowest in the game.

CNMI will close out its pool play assignment against New Caledonia today.

Sunday’s Game

Guam 102 – Andrea 25, Jose 14, Roysten 14, Afaisen 12, Cardines 11, Carter 8, Sablan 8, Moser 5, Garduque 5.

CNMI 61 – Babauta 11, Rabauliman 11, Cruz 10, Moses 10, Tarkog 6, Tumaquip 6, Camacho 2, White 2, Castro 2, Borja 1.

Scoring by quarters: 22-15, 53-28, 76-51, 102-61.

CNMI 93 – Cruz 29, Tarkong 18, Rabauliman 15, Borja 10, Babauta 9, Moses 6, Tumaquip 4, White 2.

PNG 84 – Muri 29, Loko 20, Vaieke 14, Jahare 7, Tade 6, Ipase 4, Moha 2, Likius 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-22, 43-39, 72-61, 93-84.