Docomo Rollers vs Proa in U15 finals

 Proa and Docomo Rollers arranged a championship showdown in the U15 division of the 2011 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League after routing separate foes last Wednesday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

In the first semis match, Proa recovered from a slow start en route to a 60-32 demolition of the all-female crew of Kunoichi, while the Docomo Rollers whipped sister team Rollers Basketball Club 2 in the second semis pairing, 53-24.

The winner-take-all finals between Proa and Docomo Rollers will be played tonight at 5:30pm after the battle for third place between Kunoichi and RBC 2 at 4:30pm.

Kunoichi scampered off to an early 9-3 lead in the first period behind the five points of Jaime Mendoza. Madeleine Alegre and Jeralyn Castillo added two points apiece.

Ivan Sanarez made the lone field goal, while Shane Deleon Guerrero was held to a free throw in Proa’s lethargic start. However, Proa fought back in the second quarter and surged ahead at halftime, 23-12. Chris Cepeda and Karlo De Leon led the rally with six points apiece in the second canto.

Proa did not shy away after the break and contained Kunoichi to only a couple of baskets in the third frame to pull away, 39-21, with only one quarter left in the semis match. Proa stretched the lead to 18 in the third, as it drew contributions from six different players.

Then in the fourth canto, Kunoichi could not posture a comeback despite getting 11 points from Nicole Arboliras as these baskets came when the win was already in the bag for Proa.

Arboliras finished with 19 points in the loss to lead all scorers, while De Leon turned in a team-high 10 markers.

In the second semis match, the Docomo Rollers broke out to a 17-8 lead, riding on the coat tails of eight points from Elmerson Feria, and never looked back for the easy win.

After a good start in the first period, Docomo stuffed RBC 2 to four points in the second quarter for a commanding 30-12 advantage at the pause. Teron Ano scored six points in the second canto to pad Docomo’s lead.

RBC 2 managed to find some offense after halftime, but Docomo was happy to oblige in a back and forth third quarter that ended in a 41-20 lead for the latter. William Camacho drilled a six-point string early in the third to keep Docomo rolling.

RBC 2’s engine stalled again in the final period, allowing Docomo to cruise into victory lane.

Feria top-scored in the game with 12 points, while John Darag managed eight in the loss.

First Game

Proa 60 – De Leon 10, Cepeda 8, Smithee 4, Mendoza 4, Puno 4, Villagomez 2, Capuyon 2, Palacios 2, DLGuerrero 2, Sanarez 1.

Kunoichi 32 – Arboliras 19, Mendoza 7, Alegre 2, Castillo 2, Williams 2.

Scoring by quarters: 3-9, 23-13, 39-21, 60-32.

Second Game

Docomo Rollers 53 – Feria 12, Ano 10, Camacho 9, Factor 5, Admana 4, Floresca 4, Pangelinan 3, Vivero 2, Malonzo 2, Iglesias 2.

RBC 2 24 – Darag 8, Rios 4, Deocares 3, Filedino 2, Reyes 2, Shawn 2, Venus 2, Cano 1.

Scoring by quarters: 17-8, 30-12, 41-20, 53-24.