Sixers I: Game away from sweep, pennant

The invincible Sixers I strolled to their 10th win in as many games, dispatching a fighting Chalan Kanoa Saints team, 99-78, in the nightcap of last Wednesday’s 2004 Saipan Rotary Club Summer Youth Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Like their previous games, coach Ryan Nisperos’ boys once again left their opponents biting the dust by combining a sleek running game with an overpowering half-court set.

Nisperos just has too many offensive weapons in his arsenal he may actually need three or four balls to keep everybody happy.

Chalan Kanoa (5-5) was only happy to have one spheroid in play, however, and they did make a run at Sixers I’s perfect record in the first few minutes of the ballgame.

With the equally productive Reyes brothers—Luis and L.J.—scoring in their normal pace, the Saints managed to keep it close and trailed by just 13 points, 44-31, at intermission.

But one could only hold off a torrent for so long. The floodgates would finally burst open in the second half as Sixers I main scorers Rowell Aranda and Kevin Cequena strutted their stuff and it was all curtains for Chalan Kanoa in a matter of minutes.

The high-flying Aranda led a balanced scoring attack for Sixers I with 27 points. Cequena finished with 20 points, 4 assists, and 5 steals. Power forward Alison Kaipat also had a workman-like 19 rebounds to go along with his 8 markers.

The Reyes brothers again paced the Saints with Luis pumping in 31 points and issuing 4 dimes. L.J. had an off-night scoring 16 points but he did have 5 assists. Center Rick San Nicolas came away with 15 boards.

In the first game, Sixers II kicked off the San Antonio party by overwhelming a raw Garapan Rollers III squad, 83-42.

Like Chalan Kanoa in the second game, G-Rollers III managed to hang on to the coattails of Sixers II and was just down 37-25 at the break.

But it was an entirely different ballgame in the second, as Sixers II blew the game wide open and won with plenty to spare.

Manuel Ajoste led three other Sixers II players in double figures with 14 points. Jess Sison was the top scorer for G-Rollers III tossing in 10.

First Game

Sixers II 83 – Ajoste 14, Kintz 10, Re. Ferrer 10, Ra. Ferrer 10, Appelo 9, Je. Bahillo 6, Eclevia 5, E. Palacios 5, Ja. Bahillo 4, F. Palacios 2, J, Kaipat 2, V. Kaipat 2, Averion 2, Echon 2.

Garapan Rollers III 42 – Sison 10, N. Mateo 6, Dalang 6, D. Mateo 6, Basila 6, Untalan 4, Kaipat 2, Libra 2.

Scoring by halves: 37-25, 83-42.

Second Game

Sixers I 99 – Aranda 27, Cequena 20, Ranas 12, Ngeskebei 11, Echon 9, Kaipat 8, B. Flores 6, A. Flores 4, Encio 2.

Chalan Kanoa Saints 78 – Lu. Reyes 33, L.J. Reyes 16, Manalo 9, B. Iglecias 7, San Nicolas 6, Lizama 3, Agulto 2.

Scoring by halves: 44-31, 99-78.