NYBA showdown of the best all set

The finals of all three divisions in the 2006 NYBA cage league are all set after intense action was again showcased in the ongoing playoffs at the Garapan Basketball Court Friday night.

Before the teams in the 16-and-under category fought for slots in the finals, though, organizers crowned the third place finishers in the 14-and-under division as the Garapan Rollers II defeated the Matansa Sparks for a strong finish to their season.

The G-crew got a big boost from Brandon Alaverio, who sizzled all night long to lead his team to a 31-17 victory.

Alaverio had the hot hand for the G-Rollers as he tormented the opposing defense for 17 points, while getting four-point contributions from Derek Abraham, Joemar Danas, and Rico Peter.

Jack Castro and Mart Sablan led the Sparks, scoring six points apiece while Dave Jones added four points.

Not all was lost for the Sparks family as its 16-and-under squad was able to take home third place honors.

The Sparks got off to a strong start courtesy of their quick transition as well as ability to finish, while taking advantage of the G-Rollers III mishaps.

With things flowing their way, the Sparks were able to leave as victors with a 51-37 win.

Firing up the Sparks were Juan Ogarto and Edwin Camacho, who put the ball through the hoop for 12 and 10 points, while Ray Babauta and Angelo Maanao each chipped in eight points in a solid team effort.

Rodney Salas topscored for G-III with 11 points, while Juan Diaz and J.R. Concepcion finished with nine and seven points.

The bout was followed with the highlight of the evening as the House of Manhoben Saints and the G-Rollers II squared off for the right to advance to the 16-and-under finals.

Both teams showcased their high-scoring power as neither team had trouble putting points on the board. With that, it was no surprise that the bout also featured a scoring duel as scoring machine Manuel Ajoste of the Saints and Jericho Cruz of the G-Rollers took turns burning the nets.

In the end, though, it was baskets by Preston Basa and Bill Babauta as the two scored in the final seconds to lift the G-Rollers.

Cruz was on fire from beyond the 3-point arc as he connected on five triples to finish with a team high 29 points, while Basa and Babauta punched in 12 and 10 points to lead the G-Rollers to a 76-72 victory.

Ajoste was equally impressive as Cruz, as he also buried five triples and finished with a game-high 35 points, while Kevin Aldan worked his way for 18 points for the Saints.

With the win, the G-Rollers II will battle sister-team G-Rollers I in the finals on Monday. It will be the same match-up in the 12-and-under division, while the Saints and G-Rollers I will bang heads for the 14-and-under title.

First Game
G-II 31 – Alaverio 17, Abraham 4, danas 4, Peter 4, Bondoc 2.
Sparks 17 – Castro 6, Mart Sablan 6, Jones 4, Pangelinan 1.

Second Game
Sparks I 51 – Ogarto 12, E. Camacho 10, Babauta 8, maanao 8, J. Camacho 7, Quitugua 4, A. Camacho 2.
G-III 37 – Salas 11, Diaz 9, Concepcion 7, Kileliman 5, Tudela 3, Calvo 2.

Third Game
G-II 76 – Cruz 29, Basa 12, Babauta 10, Teregeyo 8, Tellei 4, Moses 4, Catalla 3, Litulumar 2, Villanueva 2, Hocog 2.
Saints 72 – Ajoste 35, Aldan 18, La. Reyes 9, Nedlic 6, Lizama 2, Lu. Reyes.