Proa sails way to Rotary U15 title

Proa clinched the championship in the U15 division of the 2011 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League after outclassing the Docomo Rollers in the winner-take-all finals, 46-40, last Friday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

No Proa player broke into double figures in the finale, but Karlo De Leon’s eight points, including his clutch three free throws, were enough to lift his team to the title win. Completing the newly crowed champion team are Jon Jon Capuyon, Chris Cepeda, Shane Deleon Guerrero, Ankie Manalili, Jacob and Tyler Palacios, Mark Puno, Ivan Sanarez, Jomari Smithee, Josh Villagomez, and Kobe Mendoza. Quincy Johnson coached Proa and Edsel Mendoza assisted him.

Both teams struggled offensively at the start of the title game, but Proa still had a slight edge as it drew six points from Kobe Mendoza for a 9-7 cushion.

Then in the second period, Jacob Palacios delivered a handful of baskets as Proa went ahead by seven at halftime, 22-15.

Docomo appeared out of sync in the first half as no one assumed the leadership role on the court.

However at the start of the second half, Docomo’s Emerson Feria stepped up with six points in the third quarter to move his team within four, 27-31, heading into the final period.

Docomo hung around to the end, but Proa held strong at crunch time after drawing five markers from Jomari Smithee in the fourth quarter and getting the last three points in the match from Deleon’s charities

De Leon received the most valuable player trophy during the awards ceremony held after the game for coming through in the clutch,

Shane DeLeon Guerrero also of Proa was selected as the regular season MVP, while Docomo and Kunoichi received their respective runner-up and third place trophies.

Kunoichi routed the Micronesian Brokers Incorporated Rollers in the consolation game, 64-40,

Jaime Mendoza and Jeralyn Castillo teamed up for 13 points in the first period, giving Kunoichi a 19-13 lead.

In the second canto, it was Lalaine Pagarao’s turn to lead Kunoichi, as she scored six points for a hefty 36-25 halftime advantage.

Kunoichi was hardly finished and stuffed MBI to one basket in the third quarter for a commanding 44-27 lead, with eight minutes to go.

The game was out of reach by the start of the fourth quarter, as Mendoza and Pagarao added six points apiece in the final canto.

Mendoza connected four triples to finish with a game-high 18 points, while Pagarao chipped in 17. MBI’s John Cano managed 14 in the loss.

Proa 46 [/B]– Deleon Guerrero 8, Manalili 8, Mendoza 7, Palacios 5, De Leon 5, Smithee 5, Cepeda 2, Puno 2, Sanerez 2.
[B] Docomo Rollers 40[/B] – Feria 12, Camacho 8, Iglesias 7, Factor 4, Espinosa 2, Floresca 2, Lansang 2, Malonzo 2, Devero 1.

Kunoichi 64[/B] – Mendoza 18, Pagarao 17, Castillo 8, Alegre 6, Mesa 6, Williams 4, Joseph 3, Mettao 2.