Rollers 1, Armatech stay perfect

Rollers 1 and Armatech kept their unbeaten records after downing separate foes in the 2014 Tan Holdings Basketball Classic last Thursday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Armatech’s Jeralyn Castillo pulls up for a running jumper against a Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan defender during their game in the 2014 Tan Holdings Basketball Classic last Friday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Armatech topped Shirley’s Coffee Shop, 56-39, in notch its seventh win in as many games (as of last Thursday), while Rollers 1 improved to 5-0, following a 62-31 thrashing of the Ol’Aces.

Armatech may have won by twin digits, but it faced a tough opponent in Shirley’s, which even took a 25-18 halftime edge before the former went to business in the second half.

Jeraldine Castillo led Shirley’s good start, knocking in three triples, while four of his teammates also scored in the first half to threaten Armatech.

With her team in danger of absorbing its first loss, Chevy Kate Alipio stepped up in the second half to spoil Shirley’s upset bid. Alipio, who was held to one field goal and 2 points in the first half, drilled 12 markers in the final frame. Alipio also found an unlikely ally in Nicole Malasarte, who contributed 8 points off the bench.

Irish Pagarao, Jeralyn Castillo, and Ka wai Yiu also scored for Armatech in the second half, as the team more than doubled Shirley’s output in the final frame, 38-14.

Shirley’s failed to sustain its momentum in the second half as only Jeraldine Castillo made more than two baskets for the squad.

In the last game of the night, Rollers 1 cruised past the Ol’Aces to snap the latter’s three-game winning run.

Mike Arciaga and Djay Ong top-scored for Rollers 1 with 10 points apiece, while six of their teammates chipped in at least 3 points apiece en route to the 29-point winning margin.

Rollers 1 had the game in the bag right at the end of the first half when it built a double-digit margin, 26-12.

The Ol’Aces fell behind and never recovered, as only Tristan Montes consistently hit shots. Montes led all scorers with his 15 points.

Second Game
Armatech 56–Castillo 16, Alipio 14, Malasarte 8, Pagarao 7, Alferos 4, Yiu 3.

Shirley’s 39–Castillo 16, Pablo 8, Echavez 5, Vergara 4, Phan 4.

Scoring by halves: 18-25, 56-39.

Third Game
Rollers 1 61–Arciaga 10, Ong 10, Fidelino 9, Factor 8, Espinosa 6, Vivero 4, De Leon 4, Iglecias 3, Cayading 2, Mendoza 2.

Ol’Aces 32–Montes 15, Moses 6, Nakashima 4, Miller 2, Leowell Cristobal 2, Leonardo Cristobal 2, Ermitanio 1.

Scoring by halves: 26-12, 61-32.