NYBA Invitational playoffs today

The 2nd Annual DFS-Northern Youth Basketball Association Invitational will hit its playoff stage today as the cast of 27 teams will be trimmed down to just 17.

A lot of action on Wednesday determined who remained alive and who is eliminated, but word as to which teams advanced has yet to be made official and would be announced after the final elimination round game played today, as organizers and coaches will meet at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium to discuss the playoffs.

On Wednesday, the Barrigada Crusaders snapped a two-game skid by defeating previously undefeated 670, 65-55, in the boys’ 19-and-under division.

After falling to Tinian and the Garapan Rollers earlier in the day, the Crusaders were determined to close the day on a high note, and did so with a late second-half surge.

It was not a walk in the park though, as the 670 crew fought until the end.

The Crusaders were first to grab control as the team took a 25-15 lead early in the opening half, but 670 came storming back and used a 12-4 run to pull to within two points, 27-29. The Crusaders, however, were able to recover and take a 34-29 lead heading into the break.

Looking to keep their perfect record intact, the 670 cagers got off to a solid start in the second half, opening with a 10-4 run and taking the lead, 39-38, on a fast break layup by Jake Maratita.

Barrigada retook the lead, but not for long and the two teams exchanged control of the lead nine times in the next 10 minutes.

Barrigada was down by a point, 52-53, when 670 called for timeout. After receiving instructions from their coaching staff, the Barrigada cagers returned to the court and went on a 6-0 run for a 58-53 advantage.

670 then caught a bad break when Preston Basa drove and sprained his ankle with 1:55 left on the clock. Joaquin Lujan then hit a big triple for a 61-53 lead, and Barrigada took advantage of costly turnovers by 670 to close strong for the 10-point victory margin.

Nathan Torres led Barrigada with 18 points, while Dexter Brown and Jason Tudela added 13 and 12 points. Marvin Garduque also had 11 points in support.

Bill Babauta and James Camacho paced 670 with 13 and 12 points.

Despite the loss, 670 still clinched the No. 1 seed for Pool A in the division with a 3-1 win-loss card. The G-Rollers also hold a 3-1 card, but is seeded No. 2 after losing to 670 Tuesday night.

The G-Rollers picked up its third win after defeating Barrigada, 64-41, earlier on Wednesday.

The two teams were separated by just six points, 32-36, at the break with the G-Rollers ahead, but things changed in the second half and the G-Rollers bounced back from their loss to 670 by holding their opponents to just 15 points, while lighting up the scoreboard for another 32 points for the 23-point win.

Jayvan Tarkong and Jericho Cruz led the G-Rollers with 20 and 19 points, while Errol Alegre paced the Crusaders with 12 points.

Tinian also scored a 45-40 win over the Crusaders, erasing a four-point halftime deficit with a stronger second half push.

Seth Manglona and Keli Manglona led Tinian with 14 and 12 points.

Also winning in the Division III 19-and-under category were the G-Sparks as the team downed Rota, 51-49.

Other results include the Agat Lakers beating the G-Rollers, 60-29, in the Division III girls’ action. Division II girls action featured Barrigada stuffing Tinian, 54-15, and edging Agat, 42-40, while the G-Rollers defeated Agat, 59-39.

Division II boys also had the Agat Lakers beating G-II, 75-25, and cruising past Tinian, 77-11.

Division I featured Agat beating Saipan International School, 42-16.

Late results from Tuesday night include Tinian beating the G-Stars, 65-58, and the San Antonio Sixers getting past G-I, 68-48, in Division II boys.