CK Kings rally to nip Sixers II, advance to semis

Chalan Kanoa Kings rallied from 10 points down after the first quarter and then needed a couple of offensive blunders from Sixers II to defeat San Antonio, 31-30, in the quarterfinals of the Inter-Village Youth Basketball League Tuesday night at Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Kings were ahead by a bucket, 29-27, when Joe Taitano hit one of two free throws to make it a one-point game.

After the Sixers II prevented a score on the other end, they had a chance to take the lead with under a minute to go when McGarette Duenas was sent to the 15-foot line for two charities.

He missed his first attempt, but Duenas seemed to made good on the second only to have it nullified because of a lane violation.

With a chance to put some cushion between them and the scrambling Sixers II, Chalan Kanoa moved the ball around and eventually it ended up with Scott Blewett, who calmly made a shot to give the Kings a three-point lead, 31-28, under a minute to go in the game clock.

Taitano struck immediately for Sixers II to trim their margin back to a point and after a foiled offensive by the Kings, San Antonio had several opportunities to win the game but succumbed to crucial turnovers that handed the game to Chalan Kanoa.

It was a painful loss for Sixers II as they led majority of the game before the Kings came charging back in the fourth.

The Kings got off on the wrong foot and went down 3-13 after the first eight minutes of action, as Sixers II hitmen Taitano, Mark Palacios, and Juanito Sambile poured in the points.

Chalan Kanoa turned the tables on San Antonio in the second, as they outscored their opponents 15-5 to knot the score at 18-all at halftime.

But like the first quarter, the Kings had trouble putting the ball through the hoop in the third and scored only a measly two points as against Sixers II’s six and trailed 20-24 heading into the fourth and final quarter.

The Kings, however, more than made up for their first and third quarter mediocrity, as they came storming back in the payoff period to complete the come-from-behind win.

Only three players scored for the Kings who were led by Edward Salito’s 13 points. Ron Catap and Blewett scored 10 and eight points, respectively, for Chalan Kanoa, which will play second-seed Garapan Rollers I in the semifinals on April 19.

Taitano paced Sixers II with 10 points, while Duenas, Sambile, and Palacios each tossed in six points in the loss.

CK Kings 31 – Salito 13, Catap 10, Blewett 8.
Sixers II 30 – Taitano 10, Duenas 6, Sambile 6, Palacios 6, Ano 2.
Scoring by quarters: 13-3, 18-18, 24-20, 30-31.
Referees: Joe Mettao and Jonathan Tenorio.