Sixers I clinches 18-and-under pennant

Sixers I won a game they should’ve lost when Makos made costly errors at the end of regulation and faded in overtime, allowing San Antonio to end the eliminations without a loss en route to capturing the pennant of the 2004 Saipan Rotary Club Summer Youth Basketball League Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Makos were ahead by 3 points, 82-79, and just had ball possession revert back to them with only 2.1 seconds remaining in regulation following a costly Sixers I turnover.

But center Wan Woo Jung threw the ball out of bounds giving Sixers I one more play to force extension. That proved to be just what Ryan Nisperos’ boys needed, as Brian Flores got free from beyond the arc and swooshed a triple as time expired.

In the overtime, Makos had to bleed for every point with heart-and-soul Paul Magcalas and power forward Christian Dela Cruz fouled out. In contrast, Sixers I celebrated each bucket after getting that new lease in life.

Sixers I, however, still couldn’t pull away until another 3-pointer by Flores and a spinning layup by hotshot Rowell Aranda gave them a 98-90 spread with time down to 52 seconds.

Makos scored the last 4 points of the ballgame but that wasn’t enough, as Sixers I escaped by the skin of their teeth.

Aranda scored 25 points and 7 rebounds to lead Sixers I. Kevin Cequena pumped in 17 points despite being in foul trouble most of game. Flores, John Ngeskebei, and point guard Julian Ranas also finished in double figures for the newly minted pennant champs.

Magcalas was unstoppable the entire game and almost single-handedly brought down Sixers I after torching the hoops with 42 points. Jung added 12 and 10 boards, while Dela Cruz had 11 and 9.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Makos, which led most of the game and even had a 5-point lead, 80-75, with only a little over a minute to go in the ballgame.

But it just wasn’t written in the stars that night for the sharks, as Jose Magday shot an ill-advised triple and Quincy Johnson passed on a wide-open layup all inside the final 30 seconds of the contest.

In the second game, Garapan Rollers III (1-10) finally barged into the win column after scoring a 55-47 victory at the expense of the CNMI Women Junior Nationals (0-11), which ended their stint in the 18-and-under league without a win.

The girls of coach Blundin led after the first half, 23-22, but sputtered near the end. It was still a fruitful campaign for the girls, as the Rotary league gave them competition they wouldn’t normally get playing against other women’s teams.

Nate Mateo led G-Rollers III with 14 points, while Kyle Concepcion added 12. Center Vanessa Diaz pumped in 25 points to pace the junior squad, while Savana Stein chipped in 13.

The Rotary league will play its final regular season game today with G-Rollers I taking on sister-team G-Rollers II in the 5:30pm first game. The 7pm second game will feature defending champion Ol’Aces squaring off against Sixers II.

First Game

Sixers I 98 – Aranda 25, Cequena 17, B. Flores 13, Ngeskebei 12, Ranas 12, Kaipat 9, Echon 6, Encion 2, A. Flores 2.

Makos 94 – P. Magcalas 42, Jung 12, Dela Cruz 11, Magday 8, Johnson 6, R. Magcalas 6, Hockins 5, Magofna 4.

Scoring by halves: 33-34, 98-94.

Second Game

Garapan Rollers III 55 – N. Mateo 14, Concepcion 12, D. Mateo 6, Kaipat 6, Lebria 5, Joab 4, Basila 2, Sison 2.

CNMI Women Junior Nationals 47 – Diaz 25, Stein 13, Oiterong 5, Cruz 2, Rios 2.

Scoring by halves: 23-22, 55-47.