Makos remain in striking distance, Ol’Aces win

Sharpshooter Paul Magcalas returned to deadly form, scattering 34 points in Makos’ 77-67 triumph over 69ers I in the nightcap of last Tuesday’s 2004 Saipan Rotary Club Summer Youth Basketball League held at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Magcalas got into a grove early, pumping in 20 of his total output in the first half of the contest. But despite the UFO standout’s impressive offensive performance, coach Ray Duenas and his 69ers I (5-4) managed to stick around Makos (8-1) and were down by just a deuce, 31-29, at halftime.

Magcalas got his teammates more involved in the second period, as his younger brother, Richard, and center Wan Jung got into the scoring column and the Makos suddenly began to smell blood.

The result was more breathing space for the Makos as they went on to post a 10-point margin of victory.

Paul did more than just light up the scoreboard, as the former Marianas High School Dolphin also logged in 4 assists, 3 steals, and a block. Richard chipped in 13 points, while Jung banged in all of his 9 points after halftime.

Josh Sablan engaged Magcalas in a shooting match the entire game and wound up with 30 points to lead 69ers I. Shawn Fujihira also put up big numbers in the loss, recording 23 points, 7 boards, and 5 assists.

Next up for the ex-sharks, is the crucial game against the spotless Sixers I team on Tuesday, which may very well decide who goes home with the pennant title.

In the curtain raiser, defending champion Ol’Aces (5-3) used a balanced scoring attack in dealing 69ers II (2-7) a 100-41 whipping.

Led by the 10 points of Jeff Deleon Guerrero and 8 apiece from Kovin Ogumoro and National player Dan Barcinas, Ol’Aces dominated the first 20 minutes of action up 50-23.

It was more of the same in the second half, as the rest of the Ol’Aces gang joined the scoring parade. Even the best efforts of 15-and-under scoring champ Preston Basa failed to save 69ers II from the ghastly rout as Ol’Aces won with plenty to spare.

Ogumoro paced five Ol’Aces players in double figures with 20 points. Barcinas was also an all-around menace for coach Dexter Dillay totaling 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Basa and Jake Maratita fired 21 and 11 points, respectively, in the loss.

The Rotary league continues tonight with the CNMI Women’s Junior National Team still seeking their first win versus Garapan Rollers II in the 5:30pm opener. The second game at 7pm then features Sparks against Garapan Rollers I.

First Game

Ol’Aces 100 – K. Ogumoro 20, D. Barcinas 19, Deleon Guerrero 16, Kim 15, Tenorio 10, Aldan 8, Babauta 6, A. Barcinas 4, T. Ogumoro 2.

69ers II 41 – Basa 21, Maratita 11, Duenas 6, Pangelinan 2, Fujihira 2.

Scoring by halves: 50-23, 100-41.

Second Game

Makos 77 – P. Magcalas 34, R. Magcalas 13, Jung 9, Maday 7, Johnson 6, Dela Cruz 4, Tudela 2, Villagomez 2.

69ers I 67 – J. Sablan 30, Fujihira 23, Alvarez 6, Blas 6, Magofna 2.

Scoring by halves: 31-29, 77-67.