V-God, Ballers Bros triumph in 3×3 caging

Ballers Bros’ Khristian Itaas drives against two BoonkGang defenders during their title game in the boys U16 division of the Saipan leg of the 3×3 Hoopfest Marianas 2017 last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

V-God and Ballers Bros took the championships in their respective divisions in the Saipan leg of the 3×3 Hoopfest Marianas 2017 last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

V-God secured the boys U19 title after dominating Big B’s in the finals, 21-14, while Ballers Bros clinched the boys U16 crown following a 13-9 triumph over BoonkGang.

Jeffrey Castro powered V-God to the championship victory after drilling a game-high 14 points. Dean Blake and Franco Bondoc joined the V-God point guard on the winning team with the former chipping in 4 markers and the latter adding 3. Bondoc scored V-God’s first 3 points, while Castro took over, nailing the squad’s next 9 markers. Blake also had a string of 3 points before Castro again stepped up and closed out for V-God.

Chris Arceo paced Big B’s with his 8 points, while Jelbert Quitugua and Aaron Ogumoro posted 4 and 2, respectively.

Ogumoro’s production in the title match was a far cry from his 11 markers in the semifinals where he lifted Big B’s to a 21-14 win over Islanders. Angelo Factor helped Ogumoro in bringing Big B’s to the championship game after adding 8 points, while Arceo finished with 2 markers. Rafael Ordonio and Ronald Bernardo recorded 6 points apiece for the Islanders.

In the other semis pairing, V-God pulled off a close win against the Warriors, 14-12. Castro also played a key role in their Final Four victory, as he scored V-God’s last 6 points to end up with a game-high 9 markers. Bondoc registered 3, while Blake made 2. Kekuni Kainoa had 6 points on a losing effort for the Warriors.

Meanwhile, in the boys U16 finals, Khristian Itaas posted 6 points in Ballers Bros’ victory over BoonkGang.

Itaas also drew enough support from teammates Anthony Lajara and Drew Bayot, who recorded 4 and 3 points, respectively, in the title game.

Paulo Cadag had 5 points for the runner-up BoonkGang, while Christian Bravo added 3, and Adonis Favor logged a point.