Jericho tops scoring in FIBA caging

If scoring will be one of the criteria for the selection of the FIBA Oceania All-Star, the CNMI Junior Nationals’ Jericho Cruz will be a shoe-in on the elite squad.

After three games in the pool play, Cruz emerged as the top scorer in the 7th FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament, which is being held at the University of Guam Fielhouse in Mangilao.

The CNMI gunner averaged 23 points per game in three matches in Pool A. Cruz had a slow start in the FIBA Oceania caging making only 10 points in the Junior Nationals’ 61-102 loss to host Guam Sunday. But Cruz, who had been the Junior Nationals’ consistent top scorer in various leagues and tournaments his team had joined in on Saipan, regained his form big time, exploding for 29 points against Papua New Guinea.

The CNMI Junior Nationals won over PNG, 93-84.

In their last game in Pool A, Cruz held his ground against New Caledonia’s prolific scorers, recording his highest points so far in the tournament with 30 markers.

In three games, Cruz went 27-for-57 from the field for a decent 47.4 percent field goal shooting clip. He shot 11-for-19 from the 15-foot line for a 57.9 percent clip and was 4-for-13 from the 3-point area.

Cruz collected 21 rebounds, seven steals and two blocks in three games, and despite anchoring the Junior Nationals’ attack, he still had time dishing off to his teammates, recording a total of 18 assists. Cruz averaged six assists and seven rebounds per game.

Aside from Cruz, also showing consistency on offense for the CNMI were Marvin Rabauliman, Jayvan Tarkong, and Guam-based Bill Babauta.

Rabauliman earned 42 points in three games for an average of 14 points per game. He also averaged 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per match.

Tarkong, who had only six markers on his debut against Guam, redeemed himself in the last two games, scoring 18 and 16 markers, against PNG and New Caledonia, respectively. He had an average of 13.3 points after collecting 40 markers in three games.

Babauta averaged 10 points per match and 4.3 rebounds.

Other notable scorers in the tournament were Guam’s Albert Andrea, New Caledonia’s Alexander Ha Ho and Francois Dabin, and Australia’s Anthony Drmic and Hugh Greenwood.

Andre scored a total of 57 points for an average of 19 points per game, while Dabin averaged 18.6 per match after nailing 56 points in three games. Dabin’s teammate Ho averaged 16. 6 points per match.

Greenwood was the top scorer for Australia after three games, averaging 16.3 points per game. Drmic averaged 15.6 points per match.

In the women’s division, Tahiti’s Alizee Lefranc led the scoring race with her total of 66 point. She averaged 22 points per match, recording her biggest output in their game against the CNMI after nailing 32 markers. Lefranc slowed down against Australia making only 10, but recovered in their 70-40 win over Fiji, hitting 24 points.

Lefranc was a member of last year’s all-star team.

At the end of the tournament this weekend, organizers will select 10 players each from the men’s and women’s division to make up the FIBA Oceania All-Star squad which will be competing in a tournament in Australia next year.

The CNMI’s top scorer in the women’s division after three games was Lia Rangamar, who averaged 8.3 point for match. She earned a total of 25 points, while Nicole Lebria and Noelle Calvo had 19 and 17, respectively.

Guam had Derin Santos and Leilani Manalo as its top scorers with 39 points apiece after three games. Ahlil Saitanan had 27, while Jaymeelyn Cruz earned 24.

Rebecca Cole was the main gunner for the Australian Opals, collecting a total of 55 points. Gretel Tippet and Karryn Harrington posted 46 and 30 points, respectively.

Sianna Moutry led New Caledonia’s offense with her 40 points in three games, followed by Clarissa Passa’s 36 markers.

Meanwhile, the quarterfinal round will begin today.

The following are today’s pairings:

Men’s: Tahiti vs. CNMI; Fiji vs. New Caledonia; Palau vs. Guam; and Australia vs. PNG.

Women’s: Fiji vs. New Caledonia; Tahiti vs. PNG; Australia vs. Palau; and CNMI vs. Guam.