3 teams win debuts in UBA youth caging

The 2009 UBA Summer Youth Basketball League kicked off over the weekend at the Garapan Basketball Court with three teams starting their campaign on a winning note.

In the curtain raiser last Friday, the Sixers whipped Rollers B, 91-47, in Division I, which is for 15-and-under players. Completing the double-header in the opening day of the youth league was a game in Division II (17-and-under), which saw Ayuyus edging the Sixers, 93-83.

Last Saturday, Division II (20-and-under) competition began with The Set Rollers thumping Kagman Sparks, 49-43.

The opening game of the youth league, organized by Unified Basketball Association, had Roxanne Duenas and Nicko Salem teaming up in Sixers’ demolition of Rollers B.

Duenas exploded for 29 points, while Salem chipped in 23.

Duenas and Salem found their mark early, as they traded baskets in the first half to give the Sixers a comfortable 34-18 halftime lead. They picked up where they left off in the second half to lift the Sixers to a rousing debut.

Three other teams are entered in Division I, namely the Junior Sonics, Sonics, and Rollers A.

In Division II, the Ayuyus drew 32 big points from Jessie Brel to outclass the Sixers. Three other Ayuyus finished in double figures in their first game in the youth league. Tom Pangelinan added 18, Dominic Reyes tallied 11, and Jester Kaipat contributed 10.

Joe Ada led the Sixers’ losing cause with his game-high 48 markers.

Joining the Ayuyus and Sixers in Division II are Lil’ Saints, Sonics, and Rollers.

In Division III, The Set Rollers endured the Sparks second-half rally to pull off a six-point win.

Luizi Reyes made six of Rollers’ last 14 points to foil the Sparks’ repeated comebacks. Vince Teregeyo, Fred Litulimar, and Zack Tudela also hit timely baskets to save Rollers.

Only three teams are entered in Division III with Pink Buns debuting tonight against Rollers.

Games in the UBA summer caging are played every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Two matches will be played on weekdays, while three games are set for Saturday. Division I games will be played first at 6pm, followed by either Division II or III matches at 7:30pm.

Divisions I and II have a round-robin format in the regular season with the Top 4 teams moving to the playoffs. The championship showdown will be a best-of-three affair.

A double round-robin format will be in effect in Division III with the top finisher getting a bye in the playoffs. The last two placers will then duel in the first round of the playoffs for the right to face the No. 1 seeded squad in a best-of-three title series.