Docomo Rollers lead RBC Christmas caging

The U15 Rollers Basketball Club’s Docomo Rollers are dialed in as the team to beat in this week’s 2nd Annual RBC-IT&E Christmas Basketball Tournament held nightly starting at 5pm at the Garapan Basketball Court.

The U15 division represents the meat and potatoes of the double-elimination event because it showcases six teams.

Additionally, as of yesterday, the four-team U17 bracket shows Rollers A and Proa-A capping separate wins after completion of their first round of games, while U12’s Rollers A had twice bested sister team Rollers A.

U15’s Docomo Rollers are riding a three-game wining streak and are almost a sure bet to appear in the finals. Other participating teams include host IT&E (1-1), a group sponsored by the Department of Youth Services (1-1), the G-Girls (1-1), the Micronesian Brokers Inc. Rollers (0-1), and Hoops (0-2).

Docomo started its tear on Monday with a swift 34-14 victory over Hoops and came out on top of a doubleheader on Tuesday to keep its streak alive.

Docomo shared the rock well on Monday as Alcor Admana, Mike Espinosa, and Toshi Pangelinan led the squad with six points apiece.

Docomo edged DYS, 40-37, in its first pairing and went on to knock down the G-Girls, 42-31, to close the night.

Docomo’s Emersopn Feria carried the team in the nail-biter against DYS with 10 markers, while his teammates Braylan Floresca and Prince Factor chipped in eight apiece in support. Docomo clung to a 20-15 lead at the half and milked the clock to escape with the win.

DYS’ Renan Lansang led all scorers with 17 points that was complemented by 13 points from Perez Regis.

The G-Girls managed a slim, 19-18, edge at the half in Tuesday’s second matchup, but fell apart in the clutch.

After being held to just one basket in the opening 16-minutes, Factor delivered eight big points at crunch time that went with six in support from Feria.

Lia Rangamar’s six free throws co-led Ira Palero, Jaime Mendoza, and the rest of the G-Girls.

It was disappointing for both losing squads as DYS notched a win over IT&E, 27-12, and the G-Girls topped MBI, 28-22, on opening day.

IT&E bounced back from its loss on opening day and bested Hoops, 36-25.

IT&E’s young gun C.J. Morales carried the torch with eight points and received six apiece in support from Jet Cruz and Kyle Rios, while Hoops’ Adrian Deluna scrambled for 10 checks on the short end.

In U12 play, Rollers A swept its Rollers AA counterparts, 35-23, on Day 1 and then again on Tuesday, 30-14. However, the age group is set up in an exhibition format and there are only two teams in the field, therefore the teams will still battle it out in a winner-take-all finals to open Friday’s championship matches.

Meanwhile, U17’s Rollers AA toppled Proa-B, 52-28, on Monday, while Proa-A outlasted Rollers A, 50-44, on Tuesday.

Rollers AA shot out to a 22-12 lead at the break and never looked back.

John Darag did the bulk of the damage for Rollers AA with 21 points and his teammates Erik Dela Rosa, Ralph Francisco, and Lawrence Deleon Guerrero finished with 10 markers apiece.

Proa-A built an early 21-15 margin at the half in their matchup and maintained it throughout the contest.

Shane Deleon Guerrero led Proa with eight points in the opening period, while his teammate Chris Mizer returned the favor in the second half.

Lester Vertudez proved to be hard to handle and mustered 21 points for Rollers A, but did not receive enough support from the rest of his crew.

Despite being his team’s only player to finish in double-figures, Vertudez kept Rollers A within range, but Proa hit five pressure free throws late in the game to secure the win.

The U17 finals pairing was determined last night with the U15 semifinal left as tonight’s lone scheduled matchup. This leaves time slots available in the case of bad weather.

According to the schedule the first game always begins at 5pm, regardless of the age group.