Napu Riders holds off Tottots, 28-24

Francisco M. Sablan Middle School’s Peyton Jake Basa is fouled while attempting a shot by DanDan Middle School’s Matthew Peters during their last regular season game of the IT&E Interscholastic Boys Middle School Basketball League 2022-2023 on Monday. (LEIGH GASES)

Francisco M. Sablan Middle School Napu Riders held off erstwhile undefeated DanDan Middle School Tottots in the IT&E Interscholastic Boys Middle School Basketball League 2022-2023 last Monday. 

In a raucous Marianas High School Gymnasium full of supporters for both teams that made it seem like it was the finale, the Tottots’ aggressive defense ended up being their kryptonite as they allowed the Napu Riders to shoot multiple back-to-back free throws in the last minutes of the game and pull away with the win, 28-24.

The game was evenly matched from the jump ball as No. 1 seed Tottots took on No. 3 seed Napu Riders in what was to be the last regular game of the season—with both powerful defensive teams.

The first half showcased just how strong their defenses were as low scores were registered for both teams—the Napu Riders caused many blocking fouls that allowed the Tottots to score 6 of their 8 points off free throws; the Tottots’ Matthew Peters scored their one field goal.

Two wide open 3-pointers were made by Dany Defang and complemented by rush plays at the basket by Peyton Jake Basa and a free throw by Andrei Derek Tenorio.

The second half was a stalemate for a couple of minutes as both teams ran to and fro in the court without either scoring a basket. Finally, Basa broke through for a 16-8 game but was quickly followed up by a free throw from DMS’ Rodney Tomei.

DMS had many chances to tie the game up or take the lead as FMS struggled to add more points, but DMS’ missed free throw opportunities led to FMS capitalizing and making a run further into the lead with shots that finally sunk.

In the final minutes of the game, the Tottots managed to close the gap by 4 then 2 points off Hornejas and Peters’ layups, but a succession of fouls on Basa allowed him five free throws and the Napu Riders secured a bigger lead and eventually the W as time ran out.

The Tottots have received their first loss in their last game of the regular season—with no teams left unscathed heading into the championship tourney.

In other results that day, Saipan Community School defeated Mount Carmel School, 31-23, and ChaCha Ocean View Middle School trounced Tanapag Middle School, 35-1.

The double-elimination tourney started yesterday and will continue today, Friday at 4:45pm. Tomorrow, Saturday, May 13, is the continuation of the tourney at 8:30am with the championship round at 12pm.

FMS 28 – Basa 11, Defang 9, Lucero 2, Duenas 2. 
DMS 23 – Peters 11, Hornejas 4, Tomei 3, Fejeran 3, Danis 2.
Scoring by halves: 14-8; 28-23.