Agape still perfect

Agape Christian School’s Eason Tang, left, drives against Saipan Community School’s Miles Borja during their game in the CCOPSA middle school caging yesterday at the Agape court in Gualo Rai. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Agape Christian School maintained its undefeated record after routing Saipan Community School, 58-16, in the Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Middle School Basketball League yesterday at the former’s court in Gualo Rai.

The Torchbearers went on a 18-0 scoring run against the Tsunamis in the first quarter and never looked back en route to their third win in as many games. Saipan Community absorbed its second loss and has only one victory early in the season.

Eason Tang anchored Agape’s surge as he knocked in three mid-range jumpers and also hit a fastbreak basket, while fellow starters Bobby Bao, Caleb Cai, David Zheng, and Tony Liang chimed in during Agape’s game-deciding run.

The Tsunamis were without a basket in the first eight minutes of the match before Charlie McDonald slashed into the lane and made back-to-back layups to end his team’s long dry spell.

After Agape built a hefty lead, its starters took a breather and passed the torch to Steven Qiu, who made the most out of his minutes, as he scored 8 of their 10 second-quarter points and handed the Torchbearers a 28-10 halftime advantage. McDonald continued to shoulder Saipan Community’s offense, as he connected on three layups for all of their squad’s 6 markers, going into the break.

When the game resumed, SCS hit rock bottom, as Miles Borja’s putback was the Tsunamis’ lone basket in the third period.

In contrast, Tang converted an and-1 play and swished two more free throws for 5 points for Agape, while Eric Chen added 4 points, padding their lead to 42-12, with just a quarter to go.

Saipan Community never made headway in the final canto, allowing Agape to notch a 42-point winning margin.

Tang led the way for the Torchbearers with his 18 points, while Zheng and Qiu contributed with 11 and 8 markers, respectively. McDonald had 14 for Saipan Community.

In other results, Mount Carmel School overcame a scoreless first quarter to nip Grace Christian Academy in the girls division game at the Koblerville Gymnasium, 20-19.

The Lady Eagles were in the driver’s seat for most of the game and even held a 17-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter. However, the Lady Knights fought their way back into the game and stole the win after scoring 6 points in the final period and limiting GCA to one field goal.

Kaithlyn Chavez and Brandie Matsumoto teamed up to complete Mt. Carmel’s comeback, as the former scored 4 points and the latter tallied 2. The Lady Eagles’ Soleil Lamar led all scorers with her 12 points, while Azriel Fatialofa logged 4.

After the tough loss, GCA dropped to 0-2 card, while the Lady Knights evened out their record to 1-1, bouncing back from their debut loss to Seventh Day Adventist last Thursday (4-17).

Mt. Carmel ended up sweeping the double-header yesterday, as its boys team bested GCA, 35-21.

The Knights secured their second win in as many matches, while GCA fell to a 1-2 card. MCS got its first victory last Thursday when it dominated SDA, 46-8.

Over in As Lito, Saipan International School crushed SDA, 61-13.

Danny Lee led the Geckos’ triumph with his 15 points, while Daniel Nam, Dylan Mister, and William Xue contributed 12, 11, and 10 markers, respectively.

SIS now has a 2-1 record, while SDA is still searching for its first win of the season after absorbing its third defeat in as many games.

Meanwhile, GCA and SDA will be locking horns at the former’s court in Navy Hill for the boys and girls division games tomorrow. Over in Susupe, SCS will host SIS, while MCS and NMIS will face off at the Koblerville Gymnasium.

Agape 58—Tang 18, Zheng 11, Qiu 8, Cai 5, Bao 4, Chen 4, Liang 4, He 2, Jin 2
SCS 16—McDonald 14, Borja 2.
Scoring by quarters: 18-4, 28-10, 42-12, 58-16.

An Agape Christian School player throws up a floater during their game againt Saipan Community School in the CCOPSA middle school caging yesterday at the Agape court in Gualo Rai. (Roby N. Pamintuan)