Jr. Nationals, Rollers I duel for title tonight

The CNMI Junior Nationals is eyeing a title-defense, while the Rollers I will aim to regain lost glory in tonight’s championship match in the 2008 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Junior National won last season’s championship after slipping past the Southern Sonics, 98-91. The Rollers I (formerly G-Rollers) ruled the 2006 edition of the 18-and-under caging, beating the San Antonio Sixers, 87-79, for the former’ first Rotary title.

The Rollers I and the Junior Nationals arranged their title duel after posting contrasting semis wins Monday night.

The Rollers I pulled off a cliffhanger against the Sixers in the second semis tiff with Rainier Deleon Guerrero canning to free throws in the last 9.8 seconds of the match to lift his team to a 73-71 victory.

The Junior Nationals had an easier time against the G-Stars, notching a 64-53 triumph to gain the first finals berth.

Against the Rollers I, it will be a different story for the Junior Nationals.

“They (Rollers I) obviously have the numbers and the momentum. But I have faith in the boys. If we play our game, which focus is on the paint, and run if there are opportunities, we have a strong chance to retain the title,” Junior Nationals coach Rufino Aguon said.

“Since we have a limited lineup, our players need to play smart. Also, even if we defeated the Rollers I in the regular season, we should not be over confident and take our foes for granted. The Rollers I showed they can play against some of the best teams in the league so we have to be careful,” Aguon added.

Aguon will have only six players for the title match. The list include Jericho Cruz, Marvin Rabauliman, Joseph White, Heartim Williams, John Villagomez, and Allen Moses.

Only Moses, Cruz, and Rabauliman were part of last year’s champion team. Majority of Aguon’s players from a year ago are already over the age limit.

The Rollers I will have an advantage in manpower having a complete roster. But only Don Teregeyo has championship experience in the Rotary caging having played in 2006.

But with or without experience, Rollers I coach Joe Diaz believed his boys are capable of pulling off another upset.

“It’s just a matter of believing in themselves. Going out there playing their best, as it boils down to only one game. All the hard work they put on throughout the season will come to only one game, one final effort,” Diaz said.

“We will come to the championship game with a lot of confidence after winning a close match against the Sixers and we hope to keep that confidence when we play the top team in the league,” Diaz added.

Diaz said with the Junior Nationals’ depleted lineup, they will focus their defense more on Cruz and Rabauliman, who are the top two scorers on the team.

Cruz had 30 points in the semis, while Rabauliman added 18.

Teregeyo led the Rollers I against the Sixers, nailing 19 points, while Manny Matagolai chipped in 16.

The title match is set for 7pm after the consolation game between the G-Stars and the Sixers at 5:30pm.