Jacob’s Bakeshop nips OG Rollers

Jacob’s Bakeshop & Barbecue nipped OG Rollers as the NMI Rollers Basketball Association’s Inaugural NMI Rollers Men’s Basketball Tournament continued Saturday at the Koblerville Gymnasium.

Coach Edong Echavez’s team trailed 42-40 with around a minute to go in the second game of the scheduled four-set that playdate. However, Rollers OG failed to score to rest of the way and Jacob’s Bakeshop closed on a 3-0 endgame run all on free throws from Isaac Perez.

The loss eliminated OG Rollers from further action in the open men’s tournament, while Jacob’s Bakeshop got to live another day.

Jacob’s Bakeshop took the bull by the horns early and erected an 8-point lead in the first half, thanks to the 7 points of forward D.J. Ong. OG Rollers rallied like there was no tomorrow in the second half with Eman Feria knocking shot after shot.

Jacob’s Bakeshop & Barbecue James Kintz, seen here in action against GMJ/IKKI, scored 9 points in their win against OG Rollers in the NMI Rollers Basketball Association’s Inaugural NMI Rollers Men’s Basketball Tournament last Saturday at the Koblerville Gymnasium. (Mark Rabago)

Both teams were in a dogfight late in game until Jacob’s Bakeshop caught a break when OG Rollers, who were already in the penalty, fouled Perez twice. Perez didn’t disappoint, going 75% from the stripe to lead his team to the heart-stopping victory.

No player finished in double figures in the game with center James Kintz pacing Jacob’s Bakeshop with 9 points and 7 rebounds. Renren Gaviola also added 9 points, while Ong chipped in 7 in the win. Feria fired 9 points, while Kya Aldan tossed in 8 more in the loss.

In the first game, the San Antonio Sixers remained undefeated after torching a listless Pacific Auto side, 40-29. After an 18-18 tie in the first half, the Sixers threw everything but the kitchen sink against Pacific Auto resulting in the 11-point victory.

National team candidate Jack Aranda was the high-point man in the victory with 14 points, while James Camacho led Pacific Auto’s anemic offense with 7 markers.

In the third game, GMJ/IKKI held off a spirited late-game rally by K2 Ballers to prevail 56-53. Elgene Mangali and Joemar Agustin started strong for GMJ/IKKI as both combined for a dozen points to give their team a 38-28 spread at halftime.

K2 Ballers, however, wouldn’t go down without a fight and thanks to the 8 points of Dame Deleon Guerrero and 7 points of John Black made a game of it before eventually running out of steam in the end.

Alvin Fundador and Agustin led GMJ/IKKI to the win with 8 points apiece, while K2 Ballers’ Black and Deleon Guerrero scored 15 and 13 markers, respectively, in the loss.

In last game of the day, Marianas Dental also ousted Socho 1 with a 61-48 demolition. After building a 30-20 lead in the first half, Marianas Dental would just add to the double-digit lead in the second half en route to the baker’s dozen victory.

Jecil Gant scored 18 points and Joseph Torres 12 points in the win, while Mariano Aguon Jr. paced K2 Socho 1 with 12 points.

First Game
Sixers 40 – Aranda 14, Andrew 6, De Guzman 5, Fidelino 5, Itaas 5, Larasa 3, Flores 2.
Pacific Auto 29 – Ja. Camacho 7, Estevez 5, Castro 4, Lizama 4, Ju. Camacho 3, Joyner 2, Quan 2, Teregeyo 2.
Scoring by halves: 18-18, 40-29.

Second Game
Jacob’s Bakeshop 43 – Kintz 9, Gaviola 9, Ong 7, Perez 4, Lilues 4, Santos 4, Francisco 3, Camacho 2.
Rollers OG 42 – Feria 9, Aldan 8, Garcia 6, Babauta 5, Satur 5, Naraja 4, Pangelinan 4.
Scoring by halves: 21-13, 43-42.

Third Game
GMJ/IKKI 56 – Fundador 8, Agustin 8, Icaño 8, Romo 7, Mangali 7, Galang 6, Hipolito 4, Reyes 4, Ferrer 2, Augustin 2.
K2 Ballers 53 – Black 15, Deleon Guerrero 13, Limes 9, Faisao 7, Lizama 4, Hocog 4, Babauta 2.
Scoring by halves: 38-28, 56-53.

Fourth Game
Marianas Dental 61 – Gant 18, Torres 12, Ferrari 9, Dancel 8, Apasan 6, Ariar 4, Estores 3, Ben 1.
Socho 1 48 – Aguon 12, Sharry 7, Q. Faisao 7, Irog 6, Augustino 5, Nekaifes 5, Malwebug 4, D. Faisao 2.
Scoring by halves: 30-20, 61-48.