Kagman stuns Ol’Aces in U19 division

 Kagman eked out a 68-66 upset over Ol’Aces during their U19 game in the 2011 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League last Friday at the TSL Spors Complex.

The win gave Kagman an even 2-2 card, while Ol’Aces is still in search for its first official victory. Due to age eligibility issues, Ol’Aces was forced to forfeit its first four games and are now 0-5.

Sahj Hossain paced Ol’Aces with six points in the opening eight minutes, but Kagman’s Kimo Cepeda caught a late string of five markers to knot the count after the first canto, 12-all

Ol’Aces managed a slim 28-26 lead at halftime thanks in part to Luther Taylor’s six points in the second period. Taylor kept it going after the pause as he added six more points in the third quarter to give the Ol’Aces a four-point lead, 46-42, heading into the final period.

Sensing being underestimated by the defending champions, Giovanni Olopai stepped up for Kagman and scrambled for 11 points in the clutch.

Ol’Aces tried to pull it together in the final minutes, but were out-hustled by the determined Kagman squad.

Olopai turned in a game-high 26 points, while Hossain had 20 in the loss.

Rollers 1 59, NMC Proa 41

In the second game, Rollers 1 routed NMC Proa, 59-41.

It was the Rollers second win in six games. Proa’s fell to a 1-4 card.

Rollers duo Eric Dela Rosa and Daryl Suarez tallied four points apiece as their team built a 15-7 lead in the first quarter.

Proa’s Paul Samson managed seven points in the second quarter but did not receive any support, as the Rollers pulled away at the break, 33-15. Rollers’ Josh Norita led the charge with six markers in the second quarter.

Rollers spread the ball around in the third period, as they maintained a stout 45-26 margin with eight minutes to go in the game.

Rollers’ lone scorer in double figures, Norita, finished with 10 points, while Proa’s Samson led the field with 16.

The season continues tonight at 5pm when Rollers 2 (3-2) clashes with the Sonics (4-1).

First Game

Kagman 68 – Olopai 26, C. Kaipat 14, Mettao 10, Hambros 8, K. Cepeda 5, E Cepeda 2

Ol’Aces 66 – Hossain 20, DeVero 15, Taylor 12, Mizer 11, Dillay 8.

Scoring by quarters: 12-12, 27-29, 42-46, 68-66.

Second Game 

Rollers 1 59 – Norita 10, DLGuerrero 9, Dela Rosa 8, Cenir 6, Suarez 6, Francisco 6, Darag 6, Kwon 4, Taitano 4.

NMC Proa 41 – Samson 16, Lapuz 12, Palacios 10, Habijan 2, Madreo 1.

Scoring by quarters: 15-7, 33-15, 45-26, 59-41.