Rollers, Blazers advance in U19 playoffs

 Rollers Basketball Club’s 670 Rollers and the Chalan Kanoa Blazers triumphed over separate opponents to advance in the Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League U19 playoffs after the conclusion of Friday’s doubleheader at the TSL Sports Complex.

The Rollers routed NMC Proa, 63-48, in the first matchup, while the Blazers held off a late rally by Hi-5, 51-38, in the second pairing.

Five different Rollers chipped in offensively as they built an early 14-10 edge in the opening eight minutes.

Then a couple of late 3-pointers helped the Rollers stretch it to a 30-24 lead at halftime.

Rollers’ John Cenir and John Darag combined for 17 points in the first half, topping the Proa duo of Jason Palacios and Paul Carlo Samson by a bucket.

The Rollers kicked it in high gear after the break and jumped out to a comfortable 14-point margin, 48-34, heading into crunch time.

Proa was contained to just 10 markers in the third quarter, while Rollers hit another pair of clutch treys late in the period.

Rollers’ Ralph Francisco came off the bench and delivered eight points in the fourth quarter to help secure the victory.

Darag led the field with 15 points, while Proa’s Josephus Aguilar managed 12 in the loss.

In the second match, the Blazers started slow, but still managed a 13-11 lead in the first quarter.

The Blazers’ defense established its presence in the second quarter and stuffed Hi-5 to just one field goal as they built a stout 21-13 lead on the other end. Blazers’ Travis Eughbanks scored six points in the period.

As the Blazers’ starters took a seat at the start of the third quarter, Hi-5 roared back to within a possession, 23-26, with just a quarter to go. Hi-5 shut out the Blazers’ bench in the period and allowed just a handful of points when the starters returned to the floor.

The comeback lasted briefly as Blazers center Eughbanks clogged up the middle and showcased a lights-out fourth quarter.

Eughbanks stood heads and shoulders over his competition and denied shot after shot as his guards cashed in on transition layups on the other end.

Blazers’ Brandon Aulerio tallied 13 points in the runaway final quarter and finished with a game-high 17 markers in the game; Hi-5’s Don Hockett mustered 13 in the loss.

First Game

670 Rollers 63 – Darag 15, Cenir 13, Francisco 12, Nakayama 6, Diaz 5, Suarez 4, Dela Rosa 2, R DLGuerrero 2, Kwon 2.

NMC Proa 48 – Aguilar 12, Palacios 11, Madreo 9, Samson 8, Lapuz 6, Damatan 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-10, 30-24, 48-34, 63-48.

Second Game

CK Blazers 51 – Aulerio 17, Torres 16, Eughbanks 9, J DLGuerrero 4, Benavente 3, L Sablan 2.

Hi-5 38 – Hockett 13, Salem 9, F Macahito 4, C. Sablan 4, Atalig 4, Urbano 4.

Scoring by quarters: 13-11, 21-13, 26-23, 51-38.