Blue Haus nips RBC U18 in Step-Up tourney

Blue Haus sweated out a 39-34 victory over the Rollers Basketball Club’s U18 squad in the third game in the 2011 Hoops-RBC Step-Up Basketball Tournament on Monday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.

Rollers U18’s John Cenir tallied a game-high 12 points in the match, but Blue Haus, led by Alex Lauron’s 11 markers, found a way to avoid an upset to the young up and comers.

In other results, RBC Happiness triumphed over RBC U16, 49-34, in the curtain raiser; RBC Madness bested RBC U14-A, 58-43; and Salbahe held off RBC U14-B, 66-56, in the fourth and final match.

Happiness managed a 27-18 edge at the midpoint of the first game and wore down its opponents in the second canto. Happiness’ Wenser Namelo drained five from downtown for 15 points to lead all scorers. John Cenir led U16 with 10 points.

Madness had a 27-20 margin over U14-A at half time in the second game. Zack Babauta carried the squad from that point, finishing with 15 points. To its credit, U14 did a good job of distributing the ball, as all 10 players on its roster scored at least one bucket. U14-A’s Prince Factor led the team with 10 markers.

Salbahe’s Ed Camacho and Marlon Sison showed no mercy against the young 14-B crew, teaming up for 34 points in the late match. U14-B’s Prince factor topped the field with 20 points, while Mike Taba added 14.

The Step-Up tournament continues at 5pm on Saturday in Garapan with RBC U16-B taking on RBC U14-A and Hoops challenging RBC U16-A at 6pm. Then Madness will tip off against Happiness at 7pm, while RBC U14-B and RBC U18 clash at 8pm. U12’s Fotten Gaga and Konflikt will kick off the action at 4pm in an exhibition play.

The tournament aims to challenge younger players to compete at a higher level, while still forcing the more experienced players to work on their half court offensive strategies.

In related news, the RBC is holding a number of fundraisers to help send the group’s U12, U14 A and B, U16 A and B, U18 and U25 teams in Guam for the 7th Annual Take-Care Thanksgiving Hoop-Fest Youth Basketball Tournament that will run from Nov. 21 to Dec. 7.

Upcoming fundraisers include car washes on Aug. 12 and Sept. 23 and “Smoke Meet” on Aug. 26 and Sept. 9.

[B]First Game

RBC Happiness 49[/B] – Namelo 15, Cruz 11, Torres 8, Brennan 4, L. Reyes 4, Aurelio 3, Ada 2, J. Lizama 2.

[B]RBC U16 34[/B] – Cenir 10, Rios 9, Kwon 6, Mizer 4, R. Babauta 3, Malonzo 2.
[B] Scoring by halves: [/B]27-18, 49-34.
[B] Second Game

RBC Madness 58[/B] – Z. Babauta 15, Litulumar 10, Metran 6, Mizer 6, J. Norita 6, P Camacho 3, P. Norita 2.
[B] RBC U14-A 43[/B] – Factor 10, Lansang 6, Kwon 4, Rodney 4, Dela Rosa 3, Avan 2, Iglesias 2, Malonzo 2.
[B] Scoring by halves: [/B]27-20, 58-43.

[B]Third Game

Blue Haus 39[/B] – Lauron 11, Mina 7, Gallilli 6, Palacios 6, D. Tenorio 4, Lisua 2, Z. Diaz 2, Babauta 1.
[B] Rollers U18 34[/B] – Cenir 12, J. Norita 8, Metran 6, Sarmiento 4, D Diaz 2, Namayaka 2.

[B]Fourth Game

Salbahe 66[/B] – E. Camacho 18, Sison 16, Galulu 14, Tengco 10, Perez 6.

[B]Rollers U14-B 56 [/B]– Factor 20, Taba 14, Malonzo 11, Iglesias 6, Hindi 2.

[B]Scoring by halves: [/B]32-29, 66-56.