Southern Sonics get early revenge over Jr. Nationals

The early rematch of last year’s finals had the Southern Sonics avenging their loss to the CNMI Junior Nationals as the former nailed a 71-64 victory on the opening day of the 2008 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Junior Nationals ruled the 18-and-under tournament last year, beating the Sonics in the finals, 98-91. But they started their title-defense bid on a bitter note with the team’s stalwarts failing to get support from the newcomers.

The defending champions lost several key players from last year’s roster, leaving Jericho Cruz and Marvin Rabauliman to take charge for the Junior Nationals. The duo had their usual numbers against the Sonics, scoring 20 markers apiece, while Allen Moses chipped in nine.

Besides Rabauliman, Cruz and Moses, only two others scored for the Junior Nationals with Joseph White contributing 10 and Jose Castro adding three. The defending champions had only seven players suiting up for their opening game.

The Sonics also lost key players this season and have a rookie-laden lineup. But coach Jesse Tudela got a lift from his new recruits, who came from the Junior Sonics squad, to outclass the Junior Nationals.

Five Sonics players combined for 31 points, providing support to siblings Manuel and Bryan Ajoste, who were the top two scorers for the team with 19 and 15 markers, respectively.

Augustine Hocog chipped in 10, six in the second half, including uncontested back-to-back baskets from the left wing in the last two minutes of the game, helping the Sonics maintain their distance with the Junior Nationals.

The match was close from start to finish with halftime ending in a deadlock, 31-all.

The Sonics took the lead midway in the second half, as Manuel Ajoste continued to hit his outside shots and Hocog found his mark.

The Junior Nationals had several chances to win the game, as they cut the lead to as low as three points, 59-62, in the last two minutes of the match. But last-second lapses on defense and missed treys doomed the Junior Nationals.

Aguon’s wards were successful in pressuring Sonics’ players from the top of the key. But just when the 24-shot clock was about to expire, the Junior Nationals left one man open for an easy shot.

Hocog capitalized on the Junior Nationals’ defensive lapses, scoring four straight points via two inside baskets from the left wing, giving the Sonics a 66-63 lead, with 49 seconds remaining on the clock.

In the Sonics’ next offensive set, it was Bryan Ajoste’s turn to nail a basket from the left wing, receiving a drop pass from Hocog.

The Junior Nationals then scored only a free throw in the last 40 seconds of the match, missing all three attempts from downtown. Rabauliman split his charities, Cruz muffed two triples, and White’s heave from beyond the arc did not even hit the rim, as the Junior Nationals lost in their season debut.

Sonics 71 – M. Ajoste 19, B. Ajoste 15, Hocog 10, Soria 7, Chan 5, Ecalnea 5, Dela Cruz 4, Salas 2, Catap 2.

Jr. Nationals 64 – Cruz 20, Rabauliman 20, White 10, Moses 9, Castro 3.

Scoring by halves: 31-31, 71-64.

Referees: Connie Camacho and Eric Artillaga.