69ers I dump little brothers

69ers I (5-1) went up against a familiar team in the second game of the 2004 Saipan Rotary Club Summer Youth Basketball League Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The currently third-ranked team usually scrimmages with coach Ray Duenas’ developmental team, 69ers II (1-6), during off-days, so 69ers I knew exactly how to handle its younger siblings.

Maintaining the balance of playing to win and giving 69ers II the much needed experience, 69ers I took it easy in the first half taking just an 11-point spread at the break, 50-39.

But it was an all-together different story in the second half. With the 69ers I still in striking distance of the pennant and with Sixers I looming large in their next game, the team put out all the stops and won comfortably.

With mainstay Josh Sablan taking a backseat, 69ers I teammates Shawn Fujihira and lady player Mindy Torres took charge scoring 32 and 17 points, respectively. Sablan still did his share, however, pouring in 24 points on top of 8 boards, the same number of steals, and two assists.

Jake Maratita pumped in 26 points to pace 69ers II. IVYBL leading scorer Preston Basa, meanwhile was muffled and struggled for 17 points.

In the first game, Chalan Kanoa Saints (3-4) reaped vengeance on Garapan Rollers III (0-6) scoring a 103-43 rout a day after losing to G-Rollers II.

The Saints, lead by big man Rick San Nicolas, was all business from the get-go and erected a 53-22 lead at the break.

San Nicolas continued his one-man demolition job at the start of the second half. Things only went from bad to worse for G-Rollers III when Luis Reyes also caught fire at the end of the game.

San Nicolas powered his way for 31 points and 8 rebounds to led the Saints to victory. Reyes chipped in 23 markers in 5 assists for Chalan Kanoa.

Nate Mateo was brilliant in defeat, scoring 12 points. Ric Basila was also good for 8 points and 6 rebounds in the loss.

The Rotary league resumes on Monday with defending champion Ol’Aces taking on Makos in the opener at 5:30pm. The second game starting at 7pm then pits 69ers I against G-Rollers III.

First Game

Chalan Kanoa Saints 103 – San Nicolas 31, Lu. Reyes 23, B. Iglecias 9, La. Reyes 8, Manalo 6, Lizama 6, G. Iglecias 6, Agulto 6, Ada 2.

Garapan Rollers III 43 – N. Mateo 12, Kaipat 8, Basilla 8, Sison 5, Dalong 5, Joab 2, Untalan 2, P, Mateo 1.

Scoring by halves: 53-22, 103-43.

Second Game

69ers I 106 – Fujihira 32, J. Sablan 24, Torres 17, F. Blas 14, Sanchez 7, Nakashima 4, J. Blas 4, B. Sablan 3, Cangco 2.

69ers II 79 – Maratita 26, Duenas 18, Basa 17, Babauta 7, Villanueva 5, Pangelinan 5, Palacios 1.

Scoring by halves: 50-39, 106-79.