Ol’Aces reign supreme in 3×3

The Ol’Aces’ Jack Lizama, right, stretches for a layup against Alpha Males’ Antonio Borja during their semis game in the men’s division of the 3×3 Hoopfest Marianas 2017 last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Ol’Aces won the all-Saipan finale in the men’s open division of the 3×3 Hoopfest Marianas 2017 after routing Almost, 21-6, last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Ol’Aces, which ruled the Saipan leg of the tournament to advance to the final stage of the competition, leaned on their outstanding perimeter shooting to east past Almost in the 10-minute title match. Dan Barcinas, Preston Basa, and Douglas Schmidt were on target, while big man Jack Lizama also hit a couple of mid-range jumpers for a convincing win against Almost, which made it to the semifinals of the Saipan leg held last month.

Almost then marched into the championship game after pulling off an upset over Paki 3’s of former CNMI National Team member Peter Camacho. Almost eked out a 15-11 victory in the second semis pairing, thanks to the 9 points of Leroy Rangamar. Carl Steven Aldan added 5 markers, while Benwachi Taisacan scored the other point. Camacho was held to a basket in Paki 3’s semis loss, while Leo Galarse led the squad with his 5 points, but missed his last four attempts. Vincent Taitano and Trevor Ogumoro were the other Paki 3’s players and tallied 3 and 2 points, respectively.

In the first semis match, the Ol’Aces raced to a 6-0 lead and never looked back. Barcinas, Schmidt, and Lizama knocked in 2-point baskets each to give the Ol’Aces an early cushion against Tinian’s Alpha Males. Joey Patrick San Nicolas and Peter Cepeda then countered with one field goal apiece, but Barcinas and Schmidt answered with their second 2-point shot to keep the Ol’Aces’ safe distance.

At the end of the game, the Ol’Aces’ hot shooting allowed them to hit the maximum point in the tournament (21), while holding down Alpha Males to 14.

Barcinas finished with 9 points in the semis win, while Schmidt added 7. The two Ol’Aces gunners picked up where they left off in their final showdown against Almost, hitting those long shots, while Basa and Lizama also got their offensive game going.

The Ol’Aces were undefeated in the tournament, sweeping the preliminary games in Pool A after beating Almost, Rota’s 4 Musketers, and Tinian’s Busta. Almost finished second behind the Ol’Aces to move into the semis, while Paki 1’s and Alpha Males were the Top 2 finishers in Pool B, placing ahead of Saipan’s Nik Nak and Rota’s Old Skool.