G-Rollers I rule 2005 holiday hoops

The Garapan Rollers I completed a perfect run in the 2005 IVYBL Christmas Tournament yesterday after edging fellow powerhouse San Antonio Sixers I, 63-54, in the championship game at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

After cruising through the elimination round and semifinals with easy victories, the G-crew had their work cut out for them but got a big lift from go-to-guy Jericho Cruz to pull off the feat.

Cruz started like a house on fire as he scored the team’s first basket and finished the first quarter with seven points, helping his team take the early advantage, 15-7.

Matt Duenas and Nathan Flores were big for San Antonio and combined for all of the team’s points.

The team cooled off a bit in the second period but was still able to hold a strong grip on their lead. San Antonio managed to hold the Garapan cagers to just 10 points, while putting up 11 on their corner to move closer, 18-25, and this time, all the team’s points were credited to Duenas and Justin Alexander.

Duenas continued to have the hot hand for the Sixers as he and Ray Santos worked for six points apiece in the third stanza. Unfortunately, the G-crew was able to break loose and pad their lead to nine points as Cruz got back to his scoring ways and swooshed the net for 11 points.

With Cruz in a zone of his own and the G-Rollers taking care of business at the defensive end, the team managed to head into the final quarter with a 46-37 lead.

Refusing to throw in the towel, San Antonio kept fighting and never gave up. Duenas did the best he could and hit two field goals and a free throw and Flores knocked in four points, but the team was not able to close the gap as Cruz stepped up in the clutch and nailed crucial baskets to spearhead the win.

Cruz had another seven points, while Tom Kim and Champ Untalan put the icing on the cake with baskets with time ticking away late in the quarter.

Cruz wounded up with a game-high 29 points to lead the newly crowned champions, while Kim and Josh Moses had eight points apiece.

Duenas also put on a show and finished with 21 points, while Flores and Santos chipped in eight points apiece to lead the Sixers I.

Meanwhile, Tinian used its height advantage and secured third place with a 52-24 over the G-Rollers II.

Tinian doubled up on their opponents in the first half, taking a 12-6 lead in the first quarter and matching the production in the second stanza for a 24-12 halftime spread.

The G-Rollers II remained determined, though, and put up a stronger fight at the start of the third period, however, they ran out of gas in the fourth and was held to a field goal, while allowing Tinian to break away with a 16-point closing effort.

Brandon Cruz led Tinian with 14 points, while small but terrible Jason Palacios paced G-II with 12 points.

Aside for the Tinian cagers, who had to return to Tinian on the ferry at 5pm yesterday, other teams were treated to an awards banquet after the championship game. The banquet was sponsored by Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela.

With the win, the G-Rollers I took home the championship trophy and $175, while the Sixers I were recipients of a trophy and $150. Tinian received a trophy and $125 while G-II won $100 and a trophy.

Meanwhile, the Matansa Sparks were recipients of the Sportsmanship Award and received $75.

Championship Game
G-Rollers I 63 – Cruz 29, Kim 8, Moses 8, Untalan 4, K. Concepcion 4, Mabini 2, Jung 2, Deleon Guerrero 2, Pangelinan 2, Diaz 2.
Sixers I 54 – M. Duenas 21, Flores 8, Santos 8, Alexander 7, Salas 5, Mendoza 1.
Scoring by quarters: 15-7, 25-18, 46-37, 63-54.

Consolation Game
Tinian 52 – Cruz 14, Evangelista 8, Ayuyu 6, Aquininoc 6, Cepeda 6, King 4, Pettis 2, Sablan 2, Erickson 2, Santos 2.
G-Rollers II 24 – Jas. Palacios 12, Bondok 6, Manalili 2, Lebria 2, D. Palacios 2.
Scoring by quarters: 12-6, 24-12, 36-22, 52-24.