Sonics notch Rotary U19 championship

 No more bridesmaid finish for the Sonics.

After losing last season to the Ol’Aces, the Sonics this time were hailed champions in the U19 division of the 2011 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League, following a 72-65 victory over Rollers Basketball Club’s Fast 12 in Friday’s finale at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium of the TSL Sports Complex.

The championship was a perfect gift for coach Omar Ajoste, who got married a few days before their title duel against Fast 12.

“On behalf of the team, we’d like to thank our manager Jesse Tudela, Ed Salas, Island Apparel, and its operations manager Mr. Yasu Irinaka, all the Rotary league participants and organizers, plus all of the fans that showed up to cheer for us in the finals. All of our hard work paid off and it feels great. I think we played strong defense tonight as we have been doing all year and we hit our shots on the day it counted the most. I told my guys not to get caught up thinking about the championship and to just focus on their games,” Ajoste said.

The Sonics are made up of Bryl Alegre, Jack Aranda, Melvin Cadiang, Ezra Caro, Jaymark De Guzman, Herman Del Rosario, Tristan Ecalnea, Adrian Palacios, Angelo Salas, Nevin Salem, Jimmy Tudela, and John Paul Villanueva.

A big crowd, which included NMASA president and BANMI secretary general Michael White, FIBA International referee Gabriel Wite, DPW community services director Dick Cody, Rep. Ray Basa, and Rotarian Laurie Peterka, watched and finale and later assisted organizers in the awards ceremony

The Sonics got their collective offensive game to work for a slight edge, 13-11, in the opening eight minutes. Six different players scored for the Sonics in the first quarter.

After falling behind in the opening canto, Fast 12 managed a late surge in the second period to stay in contention. However, Cadiang drained a couple of three-pointers for the Sonics to keep his team ahead at halftime, 31-26.

Fast 12’s Rodney Sacramento struggled early in the match, but found his way to the basket in the second canto and led his team with seven markers in the first half.

Sacramento’s teammates took his back in the third quarter, as Jomar Duenas and Rainier Deleon Guerrero ignited a rally and scored five points apiece to put the speedy dozen ahead, 50-48, heading into the final period.

Fast 12 was a bit jaded after mounting the comeback and the Sonics capitalized on it with Cadiang returning to the floor and leading his team in the fourth quarter and Ecalnea stepping up after a dismal showing in the first three periods.

Cadiang added six points in the final frame, while Ecalnea, who was held to two free throws in the first three quarters, chipped in six, too.

The Sonics’ defense held strong in all 32 minutes and shut down Fast 12 ball carriers. Fast 12 struggled working the ball inside, while the Sonics shooters hit their mark for the majority of the game. The Sonics sealed the match from the foul line with Cadiang making two free throws and Ecalnea, who scored the team’s first five points in the fourth period, splitting his charities in the homestretch.

Sonics’ Cadiang and James Tudela outscored Fast 12 top duo Sacramento and Jomar Duenas, 34-27. Cadiang led the field with 21 points and received the Finals MVP honors. Caro was selected as the regular season MVP.

Patrick Torres of third placer Chalan Kanoa Blazers was also recognized during the awards ceremony, as he was named scoring champion after averaging 20 points a game during the regular season.

Finals

Sonics 72 – Cadiang 21, Tudela 13, Ecalnea 8, Caro 8, Alegre 7, De Guzman 7, Villanueva 6, Aranda 4.

RBC Fast 12 65 – Sacramento 14, Danas 13, DL Guerrero 11, Iglesias 9, Metran 6, Ano 4, Rabauliman 2, Maranan 2, Vertudez 2, Orejola 1.

Scoring by quarters: 13-11, 31-26, 48-50, 72-65.