CNMI cagebelles enter MBT finals

The CNMI forced a title showdown against Guam in the girls division of the 2011 U15 Micronesian Basketball Tournament after crushing host Palau in the semifinals, 56-34, Thursday night at the Palau National Stadium in Koror.

The CNMI cagebelles and the unbeaten Guam bets were scheduled to duel for the championship yesterday at 5pm. Guam clinched the first finals berth after a 103-14 demolition of Belau—Palau’s second team.

In the second semifinals match, Jeraldine Castillo and Rachel Abrams again were at the forefront of the CNMI’s offensive game. Castillo, who tallied 24 points in their 76-18 rout of Belau last Wednesday, scored 16 against Palau, while Abrams chipped in 12. Abrams top-scored for the CNMI in their game versus Belau, sizzling for 27 markers.

The Connie Camacho-coached team got off to a strong start in the semis, taking a commanding 19-3 lead in the first quarter. By halftime, the CNMI stretched its advantage to 19, 34-15, and the lead ballooned to 24 when Palau made only five points in the third. Palau outscored the CNMI for the first time in the fourth quarter, 14-12, but that was not enough to overhaul the latter’s comfortable lead.

The win over Palau was the second for the CNMI against the hosts and third in a row in the tournament. In the preliminary round, the Commonwealth cagebelles defeated Palau, 46-39. CNMI had its lone loss in the tournament at the hands of Guam during the first day of the competition, 36-86.

In the boys division, the CNMI cagers failed to advance to the finals after bowing to top-ranked Guam, 59-114.

Right from the opening tip, Guam showed its offensive prowess against the depleted CNMI crew as the former broke away with a 30-11 lead in the first canto. The CNMI, which played with only seven players, picked up the scoring in the second canto, 20-19, but Guam still led at the break, 49-31. Guam continued to pull away in the third after outgunning the CNMI, 40-15, for the blowout win.

Christian Mizer led the Commonwealth’ losing cause with 15 points, while Jacob Palacios contributed 14. Jose Candosa paced Guam with 20 markers. Guam was scheduled to meet Palau for the championship last night at 7pm. Palau claimed the second finals berth after beating Guam’s second team, Guahan, 70-52. The CNMI played Guahan in the battle for third place yesterday at 3pm.