Top guns make up Mythical Five

Organizers of the recently concluded 2005 Budweiser Cup BANMI Men’s Island-wide Basketball League recognized five cagers who posted impressive performances throughout the season.

During Wednesday night’s awards presentation at the Minatchom Atdao Pavilion, Bud Cup commissioner Abner Venus announced that the 2005 Mythical Five team is comprised of center Abong Camacho of three-time champion Bud Light-Toyota Tundra, forward Jawn Joyner of first runner-up MARPAC-Nissan Titans, forward Jack Lizama of third runner-up O’Douls-Ol’Aces, guard Jason Amado of second runner-up Bud Ice-SaipanCell Hoopaholics, and scoring champion Dave Sablan of Michelob-Master Construction Torque.

“We have so many good players this year that it was hard to determine the top five in each position, but each of these guys had a sensational season and they deserve it,” Venus said.

Sablan led the league in scoring and picked up the slack for Torque after teammate Tony Diaz went down with a season-ending injury.

After getting off to a slow start, in which he averaged a little over 12 points per game after the team’s first five bouts, Sablan returned to his usual high-scoring self, tormented opposing defenses with acrobatic drives, and finished with a league-best 311 points in 11 games for an average of 26.5 points per game.

For his part, Amado played a key role in the Hoopaholics’ regular season runner-up finish and finished 10th in scoring with an average of 15.2 points per game after knocking down 167 markers in 11 showings.

Amado’s presence on the court, however, was what made him a factor for his team as his ability to finish on quick transition plays as well as daring drives in the lane helped propel the team to an 11-3 win-loss record in the eliminations.

Meanwhile, Lizama played his rookie season like a seasoned veteran as he knocked down crucial shots and helped the Ol’Aces turn their losing first half season around with a stronger second half push.

The Saipan Southern High School student finished with a fifth-best average of 18.5 points per game, using his outside shooting and height as an advantage to lead the Ol’Aces to a 7-7 record after starting the season 2-5.

Joyner and Camacho were shoo-ins for the elite cast as the two played on a different level, providing their respective teams the spark they needed to reach the best-of-three finals.

Joyner scored 18.5 points per game after swooshing nets for 223 points in 12 games, and served as a brick wall on defense after swatting away a hefty load of attempted shots, making players think twice about driving the lane.

His leadership on the court, as well as his outside and inside game and speed, were a big plus for the Titans, who finished with a 10-4 record.

Joyner then played up to expectations in the finals, coming up with clutch shots that enabled the Titans to even the series after dropping the first game. He also made crucial baskets in the winner-take-all finale, which the Titans lost by just a field goal.

Camacho was eighth in the league in scoring, averaging 15.4 points per game. Most of his damage, however, came from his presence on the court. The veteran lefty served as a big plus for his team and a problem for opposing squads as his play in the paint attracted much attention that it enabled teammates to get good looks at the hoop for open outside shots.

Camacho overcame many double and triple teams and surpassed the 30-point mark in the first two games of the finals. He put up another sterling performance in Game 3 that also earned him the playoffs Most Valuable Player award.