G-III earns first win in double overtime

The young Garapan Rollers III earned their first win of the 2005 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League season, battling for 50 minutes before emerging victorious over sister-team Capitol Hill Breeze, 86-84, in double overtime Thursday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Champ Untalan connected for a bucket with time winding down, and the G-III defense prevented Breeze from making good on their final shot attempt to survive.

The two young squads were neck and neck for the entire bout, with Breeze holding just a 34-33 lead at the break. Capitol hill leading scorer Syl Tellei provided much of the offensive fuel for Breeze, pumping in 11 points, while Untalan and Min Joo Jung combined for 14 points for G-III.

The tightly fought bout carried over to the second half as neither team refused to give in. Josh Moses picked up his game and drilled in 10 markers, cagebelle Nicole Lebria knocked in a couple of field goals and a shot from long distance, and Jung and Kyle Concepcion each had six points to help G-III pull even against a balanced Breeze charge and force overtime.

Both teams continued to work relentlessly on both ends of the floor and matched each other point for point in the extra period. Untalan, Concepcion, and J.R. Concepcion, each had a bucket for G-III and Jung provided a crucial free throw, while Tellei made a basket, Ricardo Kaipat knocked in a free throw and Kiko Borja hit two clutch shots for the Breeze, resulting in the teams remaining even at 74-74.

Another extra period was needed and both teams continued to match each other well. Another overtime quarter was on the way until Untalan hit the layup and the Breeze failed to respond in time.

Untalan and Moses led G-III with 20 and 19 points, while Kyle Concepcion and Jung supported with 15 points apiece.

Tellei finished with a game-high 22 points, while Borja and Jesse Villanueva contributed 12 and 10 points for Breeze.

In the second game, Toyota Camry ran on all cylinders and dominated against Hoops, 97-36.

Toyota had its way from the start, taking a 21-point cushion after just 20 minutes of play, 35-14.

It was cruise control from then on as the team continued to light up the scoreboard, while its defense held Hoops in check to finish with the 61-point victory margin.

Jeff Deleon Guerrero and Javon Tarkong led Toyota with 17 points apiece, while Jeff Pagarao and Steve Kim added 16 and 15 points.

Angel Palacios led Hoops with 15 points.

First Game

G-III 86 – Untalan 20, Moses 19, K. Concepcion 15, Jung 15, Lebria 7, J. Concepcion 6, D. Palacios 2, J. Palacios 2.

Breeze 84 – Tellei 22, Borja 12, Villanueva 10, R. Kaipat 7, Rangamar 6, Farley 6, Z. Joab 4, J. Zoab 4, Ogumoro 4, Moses 3, Dillay 2, J. Kaipat 2, Torres 2.

Scoring by halves: 33-34, 67-67, 74-74 (OT), 86-84 (2nd OT).

Referees: Gilbert Espinosa and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game

Toyota Camry 97 – Deleon Guerrero 17, Tarkong 17, Pagarao 16, Kim 15, Barcinas 8, Rangamar 7, Babauta 6, Aldan 4, S. Rangamar 3.

Hoops 37 – Palacios 15, Mendoza 7, King 4, Dela Cruz 4, Masga 2, Fejeran 2.

Scoring by halves: 35-14, 97-36.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Jonathan Tenorio.