Toyota dedicates title run to troops

Three-time champion Bud Light-Toyota Tundra overcame another tough season and ruled the 2005 Budweiser Cup BANMI Men’s Island-wide Basketball League.

It was celebration time, and when it came time to dedicating the successful run, it was a no-brainer, as the squad quickly mentioned two teammates who are currently close to finishing their deployment in war-torn Iraq.

While the team was on the receiving end of applauses from the crowd last Dec. 9, versatile veterans John Santos and Peter Camacho were busy serving the nation as part of Echo Company.

“Of course we dedicate this to our two teammates that are in Iraq, playing-coach Elias Rangamar said. “They’ve been a part of our last two championships and they were fortunate enough to play a couple of games when they came here a couple of months ago for vacation.”

Rangamar disclosed that the team received a phone call from Camacho and Santos shortly after dropping Game 2 of the finals, and again after holding on to clinch their third title.

“The guys called up during our Game 2 loss and were bugging us and teasing us on how could we lose, but again they called up after the championship congratulating the boys. They can’t wait to come back and join the team again in the next league,” he said.

Rangamar said missing the two on the court made a difference, especially because Toyota played short-handed throughout the year.

“They’re national-team caliber players,” he said of Santos and Camacho. “They’re both part of our first string…that’s two starters, and they are proven winners. They got that attitude at win at all cost. We were short on our bench and having those two would’ve helped us out. We would’ve had a different strategy.”

With that, Rangamar gave credit to his players, as they were able to pull things together for another crown.

“That’s why I give so much credit to our team,” he said. “We’ve been short-handed and with those guys not being here, we were able to adjust well. Even with our new teammate, Taj [Van Buren]…he blended in quickly with the guys.”

Rangamar explained that playing with a short-handed team was a main concern for him as a coach heading into the finals against powerhouse MARPAC-Nissan Titans.

“I was concerned because our team was only eight- or nine-player deep, so I had to play different zones…especially match up zone because I couldn’t go man-to-man, which I wanted,” he said. “We were short-handed and I didn’t want to get the team in early foul trouble. I also knew that these guys [Titans] are very physical and emotional so I knew there’ll be a lot of fouls.”

Rangamar said he was pleased with the intensity in the finals, which was thrilling from beginning to end.

“I think those guys gave us a good run,” he said. “We got tired after Game 1 and came into the second game very flat, while they came out aggressive, and we found ourselves behind. In the second half we tried to play match up zone to catch up. We had a little more energy in the third quarter and we caught up. I guess, in the fourth quarter we lost a lot of steam and gas and I give those guys credit.”

Heading into the decisive third game, Rangamar said as a point guard he felt he had to be more aggressive to set the tone of the game.

“My mind set in a game is always pass first and get my teammates involved,” he said. “I had to be more aggressive, more assertive, and had to penetrate more, and it didn’t work in the first half, but the second half that’s when everything started clicking. I guess the thing that opened things up for me was hitting a three from the corner, and that just gave me the confidence. They [defense] started coming out, and I went in, and my guys were just hitting their shots. I give both teams credit for an entertaining game.”