69ers puts up strong debut in IVYBL

With Mother Nature cooperating, the 2005 Island-wide Village Youth Basketball League opened as scheduled yesterday evening with the Afetnas 69ers debuting with a bang by avenging their loss to the Garapan Rollers in last year’s finale with a 44-39 victory at the Garapan Basketball Court.

The two teams matched up well against each other in the first period, which saw the 69ers lead by just a field goal, 9-7.

The neck-and-neck battle carried over into the second stanza with the Afetnas cagers managing to whip up a better performance and up their advantage to six points, 20-14, at the break.

The G-Rollers, however, remained determined and opened with a 4-0 run to start the second half courtesy of their 2-2-1 full-court trap, forcing the 69ers to turn the ball over a couple of times.

Success from the pressure defense, however, would not last for the G-Rollers as the 69ers found ways to break through with quick transition passes down court, resulting in them gaining back a slim cushion.

Turnovers and fouls, however, troubled the 69ers, allowing the G-Rollers to close the third within striking distance, 25-28.

With strict instructions from coach Ray Duenas, the 69ers came out firing on all cylinders in the fourth and began to pull away.

The boys from Afetnas heated up the net and exploded for an 8-0 run capped by a lay up by Ernest Duenas to post a comfortable double-digit lead, 36-25, with a little over five minutes remaining in regulation.

The G-Rollers’ never-say-die spirit, however, enabled them to cut into the lead, trailing by just seven points with over a minute remaining, but their late-game charge fell short as buckets by Duenas, Bill Babauta, and Calvin Fejeran sealed the win for the 69ers.

Jake Maratita finished with a game-high 12 points to lead the 69ers, while Duenas and Babauta supported him with 10 points apiece.

Jericho Cruz and Don Teregeyo paced the G-Rollers with eight points each in a losing cause.

IVYBL action continues today as the Matansa Sparks host the San Antonio Sixers I at the As Matuis Basketball Court. The Sixers II battle Hopwood Junior High School tomorrow at the Koblerville court. Tip off for all games are set for 6:30pm.

69ers 44—Maratita 12, E. Duenas 10, Babauta 10, White 2, Fejeran 2, King 2, Sablan 2, Pangelinan 2, Borja 2.

G-Rollers 39—Cruz 8, Teregeyo 8, Castro 6, Basilla 6, Mateo 5, Tellei 4, Untalan 2.

Scoring by quarters: 9-7, 20-14, 28-25, 44-39.

Referees: Jonathan Tenorio and Jovie Omar.