Wildcats spoil Hoopaholics’ perfect run

The San Antonio Wildcats achieved what no team in the ongoing BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League was able to do in the regular season, spoiling the SaipanCell-NMC Hoopaholics’ perfect run and ending their win streak at nine games with a stunning 60-56 victory Friday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Wildcats had a positive start and got a huge lift from forward Joe Kapileo and point guard Tyler Yu, who combined to outscore the Hoopaholics with 16 points to give their team a double-digit lead after the first 10 minutes of play. San Antonio played tough defense the entire quarter and led 23-10.

Team Hoops had a better showing in the second period and trimmed their deficit by outscoring the Wildcats, 15-12. The SaipanCell-NMC team, however, still found themselves in a hole as they trailed by 10 points at the break, 25-35.

Both teams matched each other well at the start of the second half, setting the stage for a similar finish to their first round bout last month which the Hoopaholics won by a nail-biter. With memory of their bitter loss still fresh on their minds, the Wildcats continued to push on high gear, giving everything they had and managed to hold a nine-point breathing room, 50-41, with only one period left in regulation.

With their backs against the wall and their perfect season on the line, Team Hoops went on desperation mode and began charging back. Jeremy Sablan nailed a triple and forward Peter Mendiola drilled a couple of buckets plus a free throw, but Kapileo and hard working forward-center Allison Kaipat hit crucial shots in the clutch to give the third-ranked Wildcats the upset victory.

Kapileo played his best offensive game of the season and finished with 17 points while Kel Taitano was solid in support, chipping in 13 points to lead the Wildcats.

Cat-quick guard Jason Amado led Hoopaholics with a game-high 18 points in a losing cause.

With the loss, Hoopaholics is in a first place tie with Toyota Prius, both sporting 9-1 win-loss cards. The two will clash this Wednesday at 8pm.

Meanwhile, fourth-ranked Ulloa’s battled back from a small deficit and leaned on the play of Gus Palacios in the dying minutes to beat the G-Rollers, 82-76.

After a tight first quarter, which ended with Ulloa’s up by two points, 17-15, the G-Rollers swung momentum to their corner and lit up the scoreboard for 28 points to take the lead, 43-37, at halftime.

Ulloa’s quickly regained advantage, and Palacios scored the final 11 points for his team to secure the victory and turn back a late charge.

Gyles Ruluked was again phenomenal for Ulloa’s, dominating the paint for 24 points while Palacios contributed 15, all coming in the second half.

Jose Tumaquip led all scorers with 25 points, hitting three triples, while Kelvin Fitial and Seth Hocking added 19 points for the G-Rollers.

First game

Wildcats 60—Kapileo 17, Taitano 13, Yu 7, Kaipat 7, Echon 5, Sablan 4, Ngeskebei 2.

Hoopaholics 56—Amado 18, Mendiola 7, Sablan 7, Lee 6, Manibusan 6, Diaz 5, Kapwich 5, Fejeran 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-10, 35-25, 50-41, 60-56.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Ray Lizama.

Second game

Ulloa’s 82—Ruluked 24, G. Palacios 15, Jos. Sablan 9, T. Palacios 8, Joh. Sablan 7, Sampson 7, Maratita 6.

G-Rollers 76—Jos. Tumaquip 25, Fitial 19, Hocking 10, ada 7, Teregeyo 5, Pangelinan 3.

Scoring by quarters: 17-15, 37-43, 61-58, 82-76.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Dado Vistal.