Mean Machine tops UBA U17 tournament

  Mean Machine escaped with a 46-44 victory over the Docomo Pacific Rollers to win the Unified Basketball Association’s U17 Youth Island-wide Basketball Tournament completed over the weekend at the Garapan Basketball Court.

Mean Machine is made up of John Babauta, Ralph Francisco, Joon Lee, Frank Mettao, Albert Salas, and Mike Taitano.

Salas and Taitano scrambled for six points apiece in the first half, but Docomo’s Emerson Feria and JP Iglesias matched their effort as Docomo Pacific Rollers worked out a slight edge at halftime, 22-20.

It remained tight all the way to the end, before Mean Machine’s Francisco and Mettao stepped up with 10 clutch markers each at crunch time to seize the win. Docomo turned in a mixed effort throughout the match, but could not find a way to stop the two bruisers down low.

Francisco carried the torch for Mean Machine with 15 points, while Docomo’s Feria and Dixon Kwon managed 10 apiece in a bitter loss.

Before advancing to the finals, Mean Machine went through the Rollers Basketball Club’s Micronesian Brokers Inc. Rollers, team Electrify, and the Pink Rangers. Docomo fought its way back into the finals after an early loss to the Pink Rangers.

Games were played in two 16-minute halves. Five teams made up the field.

The Top 2 teams will be recognized at the conclusion of the UBA U25 event slated for this weekend. Eight teams are expected to compete in the double-elimination tournament that runs on Saturday and Sunday evening from about 5pm to 9pm; weather permitting. The U15, U17 and U25 division awards presentation will take place Sunday night or immediately following the U25 championship.

U25 entrance forms are still available and can be obtained at the Safety 1st System office located along Middle Road, in Gualo Rai or at the Garapan Community and Development Center. Docomo Pacific, UBA, Hoopaholics 670, and the 670 Rollers Basketball Club are teaming up in holding the youth tournament.

For registration or more information, contact UBA’s James Lee at 483-0290, GCDC’s Joe Diaz at 233-8978 or email unifiedbasketballassociation@gmail.com.

Mean Machine 46 – Francisco 15, Mettao 10, Salas 8, Taitano 8, Babauta 2, Lee 2.

Docomo Rollers 44 – Feria 10, Kwon 10, Fator 8, Iglesias 7, Malonzo 4, Floresca 2, Ano 1

Scoring by halves: 20-22, 46-44.