Rim-Rockers crowned 3-on-3 champs

Team Rim-Rockers, composed mostly of BANMI champion Brothers, won the first 3-on-3 basketball tournament held Sunday at the Garapan basketball court.

A total of four teams competed in the event namely the Rim, composed of players from the Navy; Team Hoppers, composed of the Brothers Team; Team Reliik Anigav (Peter and Abong Camacho, Taula Peter, Rick Alegre, and Romero Iginoef; and Team Rim-Rockers.

Team Rim-Rockers was undefeated going into the finals with a 3-0 record. Team Reliik Anigav earned the rights to force a showdown with the Rim-Rockers by eliminating the Rim.

In order for Reliik Anigav to win the crown they have to beat the Rim-Rockers twice, it was a double round elimination. Reliik Anigav defeated Rim-Rockers in first game with a 45-42 victory. Abong Camacho showed his stuff and pumped in 18 points followed by his brother Peter with 12 points.

Rim-Rockers had 28 points coming from Mark Wallace and backed up by Ed Diaz with only eight points in a losing cause.

The second and final game however was a different story since the Rim-Rockers came out to get their revenge. It was a hot game with almost everything counts. Both teams gave it all their best since at stake was a free trip for the whole team to Guam to compete with other Guam teams and all expenses to be paid by MARPAC/Budweiser.

Rim-Rockers Ed Diaz sank the first basket of the game which was a three-pointer. Ric Alegre responded with a lay-up. It was a zigzag battle with both teams trading baskets.

Halftime score was 20-17 with Reliik Anigav leading. Team Rim-Rockers however came up strong in the second half converting most of their attempted shots and took the lead 26-20 with 8:30 remaining. Rim-Rockers decided to pass the ball around and used the clock. Rim-Rockers’ strategy worked since they only took the higher percentage shots.

With less than 2:00 minutes in the regulation, Rim-Rockers were ahead 38-30. Reliik Anigav tried to even up the score but it was too late. The final score was 38-37 with the Rim-Rockers, sponsored by the Field Sports & Bar Grill crowned as the champions.

Ed Diaz poured in 13 points followed by Mark Wallace with nine points. Reliik Anigav had 15 points coming from Abong Camacho and supported by Ric Alegre with eight points before getting injured in a losing effort.