Titans look to return strong next year

The MARPAC-Nissan Titans recently completed a respectable charge in the 2005 Budweiser Cup BANMI Men’s Island-wide Basketball League, and look to return next year for a better finish.

Putting up a better finish would mean accomplishing what every team looks to do as the team finished first runner-up, coming just a bit short of claiming glory.

“Hopefully the guys will stick around,” said coach Jun Aaron. “We want to get back again next year with the same guys. I want to stick with these same guys and try to win it.”

With Aaron and injured guard Mark Wallace dictating play from the sidelines, the Titans eventual three-time champion Bud Light-Toyota Tundra a good run for their money in thrilling best-of-three championship series.

The Titans fought hard and dropped the series opener by a mere six points, 82-88, last Dec. 5.

With their backs against the wall and their season on the line, the Titans regrouped and responded with a bang as leading scorers Jawn Joyner, Steve Rasa, and Aleric Aguon put the team on their shoulders that led to them leveling the series at a game apiece after the Titans pulled off a 104-94 victory last Dec. 7.

“I guess we learned from our mistakes on Game 1, and that was lacking of defense, so we kind a stepped up in Game 2 and tried to go to our running game,” Aaron said.

The stage was set for another thrilling ending and that’s what both teams gave the crowd.

“Heading into Game 3, we wanted to run and push the ball. We knew we had to a run. I think they dominate on the size, but we dominated on the speed department, so we tried to use our strength,” Aaron said.

The two teams were even for most parts of the game until Toyota used a third quarter run to take a 13-point lead. The Titans, however, were not ready to give in and began to close the gap, eventually faltering by just two points, 93-95.

Wallace, who suited up for Game 1 but sat out the next two bouts, stressed that although disappointed he was not able to see much action because of injury, he was proud of the effort displayed by his teammates.

“It’s just disappointing on my part,” he said. “I would’ve hurt the team had I played again…we wouldn’t even had gone to Game 3 if I would’ve been hard headed and kept playing with an injury that would not make me run. We’re a running team so of course, I couldn’t do it. With me, we would’ve slowed down. We just came up just a little bit short, but we’ll go for it again next year and I’m just happy with the effort the guys had.”

The Titans finished the regular season with a third-best 10-4 record. The team dropped only one game in the first round, but had a tougher second round after key members were struck with injuries.

“The first round we did really good, but the second round was just a lot of injuries. In the playoffs the guys picked it up and for me, we did pretty good. The guys stepped up defensively and offensively,” Aaron said.