FMS sweeps regular season

Francisco M. Sablan Middle School players, in blue uniform, exchange high-fives with Tanapag Middle School players after their game in the IT&E Interscholastic Basketball League last Sept. 30 at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (ROSELYN B. MONROYO)

Francisco M. Sablan Middle school swept the two Hopwood Middle School teams in last week’s games in the IT&E Interscholastic Basketball League at the Marianas High School Gymnasium to earn a perfect record going into the playoff round of the girls middle school division.
The Napu Riders first defeated Hopwood-1 last Wednesday, 23-9, and then closed out their round-robin regular season assignment with a 27-2 demolition of Hopwood-2 last Friday. FMS will enter the double-elimination playoff round that will start this Thursday seeded No. 1 with its unbeaten 8-0 record.

Rosie Saralu had her usual numbers for FMS in their duel against Hopwood-2, as she scored a game-high 17 points. She also drew support from her teammates, as four other FSM players made it to the board. Hopwood-2 fired blanks all throughout the one-sided match, getting its 2 points from the free throw line.

Against Hopwood-1, Saralu’s 15 markers led FMS, which was up by only one point in the first half before taking full control of the game in the second.

Tanapag 14, Agape 11
Tanapag is assured of the No. 2 seeding in the playoffs after beating Agape last Friday.

Tanapag improved its record to 6-1 and will play its last match in the regular season today against Hopwood-1. Agape, which last Wednesday downed Dandan Middle School, 25-14, which dropped to third place with its 5-3 record.

Erica Zandueta and Kayshlie Aguon combined for Tanapag’s last 7 points to ward off Agape, which drew only 6 points from its key player, Barbara Wang.

Wang earlier tallied 16 points to lift Agape to an 11-point victory over Dandan.

Hopwood-1 16, SIS 6
In other results last Friday, Hopwood held Saipan International School to two field goals for the double-digit win.

On offense, Hopwood got two field goals apiece from three players to notch their fourth victory in seven games.

Dandan 22, Chacha 8
Dandan also had an easy win in their game last Friday after outclassing Chacha Oceanview Middle School.

Shaenna Yamada paced Hopwood with her 12 points, while Ayanna Stole chipped in 6. Lean Espiritu scored all but one of Chacha’s points.

Before the loss to Dandan, Chacha finally broke into the win column after dominating Hopwood 2, 21-4. Espiritu had 9 points in that victory, while Chelsea Santos contributed 6.

Chacha will play its last match for the regular season today when it faces defending champion Grace Christian Academy, which prevailed in its previous game following a 17-8 triumph over SIS.