Early rematch for Jr. Nationals, Sonics

Last year’s finalists—the CNMI Junior Nationals and the Southern Sonics—will have a rematch today in the 2008 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

But no title will be at stake in the early rematch, as the CNMI Junior Nationals and the Sonics will on open the hostilities in the playoff round.

The Sonics found themselves facing the top-seeded Junior Nationals at the start of the playoffs after getting the last ticket to the next round.

The Sonics finished the single round-robin regular season with a 2-6 record to place eighth in the nine-team field. The Junior Nationals ended the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record.

Actually, the Sonics defeated the Junior Nationals in their first meeting this season, 71-64, with Manuel Ajoste still in town. Ajoste left for Texas to join the Air Force after playing two games with the Sonics. But the Sonics’ debut win was forfeited as league organizers later found out they fielded an overage player in the 18-and-under caging.

Basketball Association of Northern Mariana Islands also forfeited the Sonics’ four other wins dropping the team to last place in the team standings.

If they were not meted a five-game forfeiture, the Sonics could have tied the Junior Nationals and the San Antonio Sixers in first place as the three teams would have finished with identical 7-1 records. The Sonics lost to the Sixers in the regular season, while the Sixers were beaten by the Junior Nationals.

But with BANMI slapping the Sonics a penalty for violating league rules, last season’s runners-up are now fighting for dear life, as a loss in tonight’s game will mean an early vacation for them.

The league will have a single-elimination format in the playoffs.

The Sonics will be facing the Junior Nationals, who are on a seven-game winning streak after losing their debut.

The CNMI Junior Nationals’ bid for a return trip to the finals will be led by Oceania Youth Tournament scoring champion Jericho Cruz. Joining him on the team are Joseph White, Allen Moises, Jose Castro, Heartim Williams, and John Villagomez.

Marvin Rabauliman, who is the team’s second-best scorer, will be back for the Junior Nationals after serving a two-game suspension. Coach Rufino Aguon suspended Rabauliman for violating team rules.

Despite Rabauliman’s return, the Sonics will still have more players against the Junior Nationals. Expected to start for the Sonics are Brian Ajoste, Mike Eclevia, Bryan Chan, Leo Galarse, and Tristan Ecalnea. The Sonics will have about 10 players off the bench who will try to help the team pull off an upset over the defending champions.

The Junior Nationals and the Sonics will duel at 5:30pm, while the Sixers will take on the Chalan Kanoa Saints at 7pm in the second game of the night.

Tomorrow, the Rollers I will meet the Suns, while the G-Stars will battle the Kontenders on Wednesday.

Winners of the four pairings will duel for the two finals tickets on Nov. 3. The title game is set for Nov. 4.