Agape 1 cruises past GCA

Agape Christian School 1’s Peter Wang, left, unloads a shot in front of the defense of Grace Christian Academy’s Ryan Choi during their game in the CCOPSA caging last Friday at the GCA court in Navy Hill. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Agape Christian School 1 blazed its way to an 88-35 victory over Grace Christian Academy in the boys division game in the 2018-2019 Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Varsity Basketball League last Friday at the Eagles court in Navy Hill.

Agape 1 captain Kobe Yang torched GCA with his game-high 28 points. The Torchbearers starting point guard flashed his offensive arsenal by scoring on fastbreak layups, hitting mid-range jumpers, and swishing home three 3-point baskets. Yang’s maturity as a floor general was also in full display, as he got his teammates involved in their offensive sets.

Agape 1 wingmen Silas Xu and Jonathan Xiong were the frequent beneficiaries of Yang’s unselfish plays. Xu chipped in 22 points, while Xiong also finished in double digits with his 14 points. Xu left his mark in the third quarter, scoring eight in that frame, including two three pointers to demoralize the hapless Eagles.

Besides the trio of Yang, Xu, and Xiong, the Torchbearers also got contributions from starting center Mark Shao and Peter Wang. The big man mustered 8 points in the paint, while Wang added 7.

Agape’s balance offense was complemented by its full-court press defense that smothered the Eagles in the first two quarters. The Torchbearers managed to steal the ball several times and made fastbreak conversions off their multiple defensive stops to end the first half with a commanding 51-14 lead.

Agape was never threatened after that to improve to a 2-1 record for a share of second place in the team standings with Kagman High School and Mt. Carmel School 1. The Eagles, who drew 13 points from center Ryan Choi and 11 from captain Marcky Masilungan, dropped to a 1-2 slate.

Meanwhile, after suffering a close loss against the leading Saipan Southern High School (2-0) last Wednesday, the Ayuyus bounced back and defeated MCS 1 in front of their home crowd in Kagman, 57-47.

The Knights won their first two games of the season in convincing fashion, scoring a combined 163 points, but Kagman’ defense effectively halted MCS 1’s momentum.

Meanwhile, the Saipan International School-Saipan Southern High School game last weekend at the SIS court was postponed due to rain, while the lone girls match last Friday had GCA winning its season debut against Agape, 26-16.

Lady Eagles captain and starting combo guard Jasmine Phan led GCA with her 12 points, half of them came from the stripe. Tina Choi and Anna Nunez added 6 and 4 markers, respectively, as they teamed up in dominating the paint for GCA.

After the victory over Agape, the Lady Eagles will gun for win No. 2 this Thursday when they take on defending champions Lady Knights.

In the boys division games today, Agape will be hosting a double-header in their court in Gualo Rai with Agape 1 taking on Kagman at 3:30pm and Agape 2 facing SSHS at 4:30pm. Over in Navy Hill, GCA will be battling MCS 2, while MCS 1 will challenge host SIS.