Aldan triple lifts G-I over Sixers I

Kevin Aldan scored nine points, all coming from beyond the arc during Monday’s 2005 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League, with his last shot being the difference in keeping his Garapan Rollers I team undefeated.

With his team down by a point, 79-80, against fellow powerhouse San Antonio Sixers I, Aldan unleashed a bomb that found the bottom of the net with only seconds remaining on the clock to put his team ahead, 82-80.

The Sixers I had a shot at tying the game or even winning the bout, but weren’t able to put the rock through the hoop before time expired, resulting in only their second loss of the season.

Anticipated to be a neck-and-neck ballgame, the two teams lived up to expectations from beginning to end, exchanges leads and giving all in attendance something to remember.

The Sixers I leaned on the trio of guard Manuel Ajoste, forward Kevin Cequena, and center Christian Dela Cruz, who came through when their team needed them in the first period to lift San Antonio to a slim advantage.

Ajoste and Cequena each dropped 12 points, while Dela Cruz pounded his way for six points as the Sixers I took a 34-31 lead halftime.

The Sixers’ triple threat continued to spearhead their team’s attack in the second half, but were overmatched as veteran Pedro Iguel, who had eight points in the previous half, stepped up to the challenge and showed just why coach Joe Diaz has high hopes on him.

The Marianas High School student went berserk for 20 points and got solid support from cagers like Vince Teregeyo and Ivan Devero on the offensive end to keep the G-I crew’s hopes of keeping their perfect record intact alive.

G-I received a big blow when Pistol Pete was whistled for his fifth foul, but with their leader watching from the sidelines, the crew pulled together and set the stage for the dramatic ending.

Jerry Cruz hit only one shot, but his triple came in the clutch as it found the bottom of the net right before Aldan’s game-winner.

Iguel finished with a game-high 28 points, while Devero supported him with 13 points for G-Rollers I.

Ajoste led San Antonio with 25 points, while Cequena and Dela Cruz contributed 24 and 13 points. Jon Lim also chipped in 11 points. The four scored all but three of the Sixers’ points.

G-Rollers I 82—Iguel 28, Devero 13, Aldan 9, Ada 8, Teregeyo 7, Hocking 4, Tumaquip 4, Naraja 4, Cruz 3, Castro 2.

Sixers I 80—Ajoste 25, K. Cequena 24, Dela Cruz 13, Lim 11, Nakashima 2, Manansala 1.
Scoring by halves: 31-34, 82-80.

Referees: Elias Rangamar and Gilbert Espinosa.