Tinian, Star Magic top youth league foes

Laly 4’s Enrique Lisua taps the ball away from the hands of Star Magic’s Jomac Manzano during the third quarter of their game in the U21 division of the BANMI youth league last Friday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

In the U18 division, Tinian prevailed in its debut game against Rollers A last Thursday, 52-47, while Star Magic routed Laly 4 in the U21 pairing last Friday, 66-43.

The 23-point victory over Laly 4 made up for Star Magic’s 49-79 debut loss to Dream Team last Tuesday, while the defeat was the second in a row for Laly 4.

Star Magic showed brilliance in the third quarter to break the game wide open after leading by only 8 at halftime, 30-22. Star Magic went on a 21-4 scoring surge in the pivotal third to take a 51-26 advantage with only one quarter left. Eight different players contributed in Star Magic’s third quarter assault and Christopher Muleta led the team’s balance offense with his 6 points, surpassing Laly 4’s entire output in that period, as the latter only drew 2 points each from Tommy Joe Cangco and Keith Tawanpiy.

Laly 4 tried to mount a comeback in the final canto, but only managed to cut the lead to as low as 17, 36-53, as it could not launch a long rally.

Muleta and Mark Tala top-scored for Star Magic with 12 points apiece, while their four other teammates added at least 5 points each. Seven of the 12 players who suited up for Star Magic made it to the board, while only seven scored for Laly 4 with Derek Olopai leading his team with his 13 markers.

In the U18 game, Tinian showed some consistency in the second half after a so-so performance in the first 20 minutes of play to eke out a 5-point win over Rollers A.

Tinian was just up by 2 at halftime, 22-20, after being held to 8 points in the second quarter, but managed to gain more cushion in the last two periods, scoring 15 points apiece in the third and fourth frames.

Joseph Sablan drilled 6 of his 11 points in the third period to lift Tinian to a 37-31 advantage, entering the fourth. He added 3 more in the final canto and drew a lot of help from his teammates to prevent Rollers A from making a comeback. Ignacio Borja was among those who provided support to Sablan, as he drained the last two marginal baskets for Tinian. Borja went on to match Sablan’s 11 points, while Kobee Mendoza chipped in 9 in their debut win.

The Rollers A absorbed their second setback in as many games this season as they also fell to Kagman Sparks last week, 54-57. Prince Factor led Rollers A’s losing cause, firing 18 points.

THURSDAY
Tinian 52 – Borja 11, J. Sablan 11, Mendoza 9, D. Sablan 6, San Nicolas 5, De Leon 2, Sandbergen 2, Jumao-As 2.

Rollers A 47 – Factor 18, Arciaga 7, Camacho 6, Rios 6, Malonzo 4, Toves 2, Iglecias 2, Babauta 2, Deocares 1.

Scoring by quarters: 14-7, 22-20, 37-31, 52-47.

FRIDAY
Star Magic 66 – Tala 12, Muleta 12, Zapanta 9, Quemado 7, Velasco 7, Pena 5, Madero 4, Manzano 3, Nava 3, Crecencia 2, Manalo 2.

Laly 4 – Olopai 13, Rogolifoi 8, T. Cangco 4, Tawanpiy 4, E. Lisua 4, B. Lisua 4, Sablan 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-12, 30-22, 51-26, 66-43.