Saints win U25 Island-wide Youth caging

The Saints triumphed over the Runnin’ Rebels, 37-36, in the championship of the Unified Basketball Association’s U25 division Island-wide Youth Basketball Tournament held last weekend at the Garapan Basketball Court.

The team is comprised of L.J. and Luizi Reyes, Wenser Namelo, Vince Iglesias, Richard Cruz, Joseph Basa, Leo Galarse, Donovan Brennan, Juan Camacho, Travis Eughbanks, Arvin Avila, and Patrick Torres.

The Saints advanced past Othello, 47-25, before enduring an early loss on Saturday to the Rebels, 29-32, but they fought back through the lower bracket on Sunday, eliminating the Rollers, 21-31, and then Ayuyu, 28-25, in the semifinals.

The Rebels advanced to the finals undefeated, knocking off Akerri, 53-34, before dropping the Saints and Ayuyu, 41-31, in the upper bracket semis.

Other participating U25 teams included Hi-5 Saipan 1 and Saipan 2.

The event concluded the UBA’s three-division series, where as previously reported Mean Machine and Docomo 2 were deemed respective U17 and U15 champions.

Mean Machine’s Ralph Francisco, Albert Salas, Joon Lee, Mike Taitano, John Babauta, and Frank Mettao topped four other teams and defeated Docomo, 36-34, in the U17 finals held last on March 3, while Docomo 2’s Prince Factor, Toshi Pangelinan, J.P. Iglesias, Irvyn Malonzo, Jerron Ano, Renen Lansang, Bryan Floresca, Justin Cayading, Emerson Feria, Ted Vivero, and William Camacho survived five other squads and defeated Docomo 4 Rollers, 56-38, for the championship last Feb. 19.

All first place teams will be given trophies.

Docomo Pacific and the UBA, as well as partners Hoopaholics 670 and the 670 Rollers Basketball Club, sponsor the event.

The simple purpose of the series is to promote youth sports activities during the peak of basketball season.

In related news, some RBC players teamed up with Hoops and left for Guam yesterday morning to appear in the U25 March Madness Pacific Regional Championships held at Anderson Air Force Base.

In addition, the RBC plans on holding an Easter Family Fun Run event on April, 14 to help raise funds for its anticipated appearance in the Pacific Rim Manila Goodwill Tournament this July. The group plans to send two U14 teams to represent the club for the first time ever in the Philippines.

Be on the lookout for other fundraisers such as Smoked Meat drives, hot lunches, and yard cleanings.

The RBC is also still in need of sponsorship support to help provide chaperones for their big trip. Call RBC’s Joe Diaz at 285-4141 for more information or email joediaz41@gmail.com. You can also visit www.rollersbasketballclub.yolasite.com or look them up on Facebook.

Saints 37 – Galarse 14, Lu Reyes 6, LJ Reyes 5, Camacho 3, Iglesias 3, Avila 2, Namelo 2, Torres 2.

Runnin’ Rebels 36 – Ogarto 7, Sacramento 7, Vertudez 7, Norita 6, Ogomoro 5, S Litulumar

Scoring by halves: 16-21, 37-36.