Sparks shock Garapan Rollers I

Sparks played the game of their lives Thursday when they upset favored Garapan Rollers I, 84-80, in the second game of the 2004 Saipan Rotary Club Summer Youth Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Down 28-20 after the opening half, Benjamin Jones, Jr., Mike Reyes, and the rest of the team played almost perfect ball in the next 20 minutes to hand G-Rollers I (6-3) and its head coach Joe Diaz their most unexpected defeat to date.

“I have to give it to Sparks coach George Diaz Cruz he really played his cards right tonight. It’s not much about my boys playing bad tonight but rather it’s his players stepping up and playing a heck of a ballgame, especially in the second half,” said Diaz.

Jones topscored for Sparks (5-5) with 25 points and 10 steals, while Reyes added 20 markers and 12 rebounds.

Bill Kaipat led the shocked G-Rollers I with 20 points. Vince Teregeyo and Lester Babauta also chipped in 14 and 10 points, respectively, in the loss.

In the first game, Garapan Rollers II (3-6) kept the CNMI Women’s Junior National Team (0-10) winless with a 79-52 rout.

G-Rollers II didn’t give the cagebelles any quarters in the opening half and sped away, 44-25, at the turn. It was more or less the same in the second half, as Garapan piled up the points and won the game handily.

Jose Castro led the way for G-Rollers II with 16 points, while Kevin Aldan and Allan Moses tossed in 13 and 10 points.

Chariss Ruluked sparkled all game for coach Don Blondin, collecting 20 points on top of 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 swipes. Vanessa Diaz also came away with 15 points, 14 boards, 4 dole outs, and 3 steals.

The 18-and-under league resumes today with defending champion Ol’Aces taking on 69ers I in the 5:30pm opener. The 7pm nightcap then pits Sixers II against 69ers II.

First Game

Garapan Rollers II 79 – Castro 15, Aldan 13, A. Moses 10, Cruz 7, Sablan 6, J. Moses 4, Iguel 2, Camacho 2, Avila 2.

CNMI Women Junior Nationals 52 – Ruluked 20, Diaz 15, Oiterang 9, Rios 6, Elayda 2.

Scoring by halves: 44-25, 79-52.

Second Game

Sparks 84 – Jones 25, Reyes 20, Iguel 11, Mario 10, Diaz 10, San Nicolas 5, Ogarto 3.

Garapan Rollers I 80 – Kaipat 20, Teregeyo 14, Babauta 10, Chariton 8, L. Iguel 8, Tumaquip 6, Omar 4, Naraja 4, P. Iguel 2.

Scoring by halves: 20-28, 84-80.