69ers II, Makos win in Rotary resumption

After a three-week vacation, the 2004 Saipan Rotary Club Summer Youth Basketball League returned to action Monday night with 69ers II and Makos winning their respective assignments at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

69ers II (1-5) actually notched its first win of the season following their 80-54 shellacking of a determined but visibly outmatched Women’s Jr. National Team (0-6) in the first game.

2004 IVYBL scoring champion Preston Basa waxed hot from everywhere, pouring in 15 points in the first half to tow 69ers II to a king-size 42-24 spread at the half.

Forward Jake Maratita was equally offensive-minded in the first 20 minutes of the ballgame, firing 12 points. Only Henny Elayda provided some firepower for the Nationals, pumping in 6 points before lemon time.

69ers II continued to take the initiative at the start of the second half. Despite being outre-bounded by the women and getting torched by hotshot Savana Stein, Ray Duenas’ troops maintained their lead and coasted to the easy victory.

Basa was the high-point man for the evening with 24 points to go along with 6 assists. Maratita had 8 dole-outs and fired 20 points.

Stein came away with 18 points and 9 boards to lead the Nationals. Elayda finished with 10 markers in the loss.

Makos (6-1), on the other hand, had to withstand a second-half rally by the Sparks (3-4) to prevail 72-63 in the second game.

The game started perfectly for Makos with gunner Jose Maday and former National swimmer Quincy Johnson taking turns burning the hoop.

Makos, however, got ahead of themselves after taking the half, 41-24. Sparks, behind Ben Jones Jr. and Mike Reyes, suddenly began to click in the second and trimmed Makos’ lead to dangerous levels.

Luckily for Makos, a late-scoring spree by UFO veteran Paul Magcalas, proved enough to douse the rally and Makos escaped with the 9-point win.

Magcalas scored 19 of his 24 points after halftime to pace Makos. Johnson and Maday also chipped in 15 and 13 points, respectively, in the victory.

The match between sister-teams Garapan Rollers I and Garapan Rollers III (first game) and Garapan Rollers II and Chalan Kanoa Saints (second game) were still being played as of press time.

Tonight’s schedule pits G-Rollers III against CK Saints in the 5:30pm curtain raiser. The nightcap starting at 7pm then features sister-teams 69ers I and 69ers II going at it.

First Game

69ers II 80 – Basa 24, Maratita 20, Villanueva 10, Tanaka 10, Travilla 4, Babauta 4, Fujihira 2, Duenas 2, Sablan 2, Palacios 2.

Women’s Jr. National Team 54 – Stein 18, Elayda 10, Brel 8, Ruluked 6, Cruz 6, Rios 6.

Scoring by halves: 42-24, 80-54.

Second Game

Makos 72 – P. Magcalas 24, Johnson 15, Maday 13, R. Magcalas 9, Dela Cruz 4, Hockins 4, Wan 3, Magofna 2.

Sparks 63 – Jones 16, Reyes 15, Diaz 9, Iguel 7, Ogarto 4, Manibusan 4, San Nicolas 4, Mario 3, Benjamin 1.

Scoring by halves: 41-24, 72-63.