RHT takes lead, Kinpachi nips NYBA

RHT grabbed the solo lead with its sixth win, while Kinpachi-Bank of Saipan nipped the Northern Youth Basketball Association All-Stars as action in the 2006 MDX Good Sportsmanship Basketball League continued Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

RHT moved a half game ahead of defending champion Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense and powerhouse Budweiser after whipping SMF, 123-100 in the nightcap.

With five players finishing in double figures, RHT easily cruised to victory in its final regular season game.

Errol Peredo, Ronald Delos Reyes, and Rowel Aranda each had solid contributions in the opening period and spearheaded the RHT crew to a 34-16 lead.

Peredo and Aranda continued to have their way and combined for 13 points in the second period, but SMF was able to match RHT point for point courtesy of Leo Itaas, Ruther Demegillo, and Gary Cayetano. With that, RHT went into the break ahead by 18 points, 59-41.

Cayetano and Bernard Montano tried to bring SMF back, but RHT was just too much to handle as Peredo and Aranda each added eight points to their corner to fuel a run that ended with RHT up by 20, 89-69.

Peredo was far from done and scored another nine points in the final minutes, ensuring that RHT would close strong.

Peredo finished with a game-high 33 points, while Aranda was the player of the game with 22 points. Andres “Jhun” Estolas Jr. also had a strong outing with 17 points and 13 assists, while Pando Muleta and Gyles Ruluked chipped in 13 and 12 points, with Ruluked also grabbing 11 rebounds. Slotman Jawn Joyner also had 10 boards to go with his nine points.

Cayetano led SMF with 30 points, while Itaas and Andy Mortos pumped in 23 and 13 points. Demegillo and Montano also had 10 points apiece.

RHT closed the regular season with a 6-1 record, while SMF finishes at 3-4.

Earlier, Kinpachi had a strong start and held off a late rally by the NYBA squad to escape with a 94-90 victory.

Kinpachi opened strong with a 27-11 run in the first quarter, but saw their lead shrink in the second as the NYBA crew outscored their opponents, 23-15, to pull to within eight points, 34-42, at the break.

Forward Francis Rebuyon and Dave Sablan then combined for 17 points in the third period to help Kinpachi increase its lead, 70-58, at the end of the stanza.

With their backs against the wall, the NYBA cagers put on an aggressive attack in the dying minutes, and Kevin Aldan was able to hit three triples and score 11 points to bring his squad closer. In the end, though, Kinpachi was able to escape.

Sablan and Rebuyon finished with 24 points apiece to lead Kinpachi, with Rebuyon also grabbing 10 rebounds to earn player of the game honors. Mike Umali and Gil Gapor also had 13 and 12 points, while Sherwin Samson had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Kelvin Fitial led NYBA with 19 points, while Aldan and Robert Naraja added 17 and 12 points.

Kinpachi closed the season with a 3-4 record, while NYBA finished with a 1-6 card.

First Game

Kinpachi 94 – Rebuyon 24, Sablan 24, Umali 13, Gapor 12, Samson 11, Tobias 7, D. Palacios 3.

NYBA 90 – Fitial 19, Aldan 17, Naraja 12, Teregeyo 8, Moses 8, Tarkong 5, Chariton 4, Mosley 4, Mateo 4, Omar 4, Matagolai 3.

Scoring by quarters: 27-11, 42-34, 70-58, 94-90.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Tom Alegre.

Second Game

RHT 123 – Peredo 33, Aranda 22, Estolas 17, Muleta 13, Ruluked 12, Joyner 9, Delos Reyes 8, Villarin 8.

SMF 100 – Cayetano 30, Itaas 23, Mortos 13, Demegillo 10, Montano 10, Mateo 6, Dogillo 6, Serivan 2.

Scoring by quarters: 34-16, 59-41, 89-69, 123-100.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Jess Pacheco.