Rollers Black also dominate U14

Rollers Black players and coach Joe Diaz pose for a group photo after winning the U14 championship of the Rollers Basketball Association 2021 Spring Madness League last Sunday at the Koblerville Gymnasium. (Contributed Photo)

For the second time in the day and the third time in the weekend, Rollers Black again proved the team to beat in the Rollers Basketball Association 2021 Spring Madness League after their U14 squad beat Ol’Aces, 38-21, in the championship game last Sunday at the Koblerville Gymnasium.

In the last championship game Sunday, elimination round top-notcher Rollers Black didn’t allow Ol’Aces to force a do-or-die second game in the U14 finals by dominating their opponents from the get-go.

Rollers Black coach Mike Mercado’s players spread the wealth in the opening half with five different players tossing in 5 points each to give them a 17-10 advantage going into the break. Justin Camacho tried his best to make the game competitive by firing 6 markers for Ol’Aces in the first half.

After Finals MVP Christian Lucero, Mykee Mercado, and Eros Estolas combined for all but 2 of the team’s 17 first half points, it was the turn of their teammates to lead Rollers Black to the Promised Land in the second half.

Luckily they delivered as J.P. Pineda and Lance Lerio exploded for 7 points each in the game’s final 20 minutes, as Rollers Black again dominated en route to the 9-point win. Keahie Camacho picked up where Justin Camacho left off in the second half, unloading 6 of his 8 points but to no avail.

Lerio paced a balanced Rollers Black offensive attack by scoring 9 points, while Lucero, Pineda, and Estolas ably supported him with 7 markers each. Keahie and Justin Camacho shared team-high honors for the runner-up Ol’Aces team with 8 points apiece.

Coach Mike Mercado said winning the U14 championship of the 2021 Spring Madness League was a collective effort from both players and the club’s coaches.

“We treat them like our sons and humble them to become not only great basketball players but positive citizens of our community as well. Coach Joe Diaz and I formed this U14 team two years ago. We witnessed and trained these kids and continually to do so now with the help of coach Dexter Tenorio and coach Dave Apatang,” he said.

He said it also helps that older Rollers players serve as role models for his U14 players. “Our players also get awesome mentoring from our older Rollers players like Chioni Dela Cruz, Ervin Villarin, and Leo Najara, just to name a few. These ‘older brothers’ always make sure to give and spend some extra time to train our U14 players.”

In the awarding ceremony immediately following the U14 title match, Lady Rollers’ Shanesse Aldan won the Regular Season MVP award after being named Scoring Champ (40) and Queen of Steals (14). Rollers Black’s J.P. Pineda was King of Assists (9), Ol’Aces’ Justin Camacho was King of Rebounds (29), while his teammate Keahie Camacho was King of Blocks (5).

Earlier in the day, the U17 Rollers Black throttled the Sonics in their championship game, while on Saturday the U11 Rollers Black blasted sister team Rollers White in their own finale. Results of the U17 game in the 2021 Spring Madness League between Rollers Black and Ol’Aces will be reported in tomorrow’s issue.

Rollers Black 38 – Lerio 9, Lucero 7, Pineda 7, Estolas 7, Mercado 5, Navarro 3.

Ol’Aces 29 – K. Camacho 8, J. Camacho 8, Imperial 4, Joab 4, D. Lizama 3, J. Lizama 2.

Scoring by halves: 17-10, 38-29.