Sixers outshine G-Stars in Rotary debut

Sophomore Joe Ada and veteran Ernest Duenas lifted the San Antonio Sixers to a 65-52 debut win against the G-Stars in the 2008 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Ada nailed 22 points in his first game of the season, living up to expectations from the Sixers’s No. 1 scorer last year. The Marianas High School point guard suited up for the Sixers only last season, but emerged as the top scorer of the team, averaging close to 20 points a game.

Duenas is on his last season in the 18-and-under league and together with Ada, they led the Sixers to a third-place finish in the 2007 edition of the youth caging, beating the Garapan Rollers I in the consolation match.

Duenas scored the Sixers’ first basket this season and went on to finish with 12 points, providing stability on San Antonio’s offense.

He and Ada combined for 14 points in the first half to put the Sixers in the driver’s seat, 29-22.

The Sixers never looked back from thereon, stretching the lead to as much as 19 points midway in the second half, 56-37, with Ada getting help from Matt Duenas and Ian Benavente.

Duenas made all his eight points in the second half, while Benavente had back-to-back baskets which sparked the Sixers’ breakaway.

Ada finished what he started, scoring nine of San Antonio’s last 11 points.

The much experienced Sixers clearly outgunned the G-Stars, whose leading scorer, Lia Rangamar, made only 11 markers. Dino Palacios chipped in 10.

The Sixers joined the Southern Sonics, G-Rollers I in the win column.

Eight teams are battling for this year’s championship. The CNMI Junior Nationals opened the season with a loss to the Sonics Monday night, 64-71. The G-Rollers II played in the second game of the year Tuesday night and bowed to sister team G-Rollers I, 2-87.

Only the Capital Hill and Kagman Suns have yet to complete their debut game as of press time. They were set to play last night.

Sixers 65 – Ada 22, E. Duenas 12 M. Duenas 8, R. Duenas 6, Benavente 6, Ano 5, C. DUenas 4, Agtarap 2, J. Duenas 2.

G-Stars 52 – L. Rangamar 11, Palacios 10, Ichihara 8, Sablan 6, Kautz 4, S. Rangamar 3, Deleon Guerrero 2, Manalili 2.

Scoring by quarters: 29-22, 65-52.

Referees: Connie Camacho and Arnold Mesa. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)