By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
FRANCISCO M. Sablan Middle School V repeated as champions on Saturday, cruising past Chacha Ocean View Middle School V, 25-11, in the boys middle school division title game of the PSS-NMIBF IT&E Interscholastic Basketball League SY25-26, at the Marianas High School gym.
COVMS V entered the championship matchup at a disadvantage after playing four consecutive games prior to facing a well-rested FMS V squad. Despite their efforts to stay composed, fatigue became a clear factor as FMS V quickly dictated the tempo.
Eighth-grader Elli Jonas sparked the early surge with back-to-back fast-break finishes, thriving in transition. While COVMS V responded with several defensive stops, they struggled to convert on the offensive end and remained scoreless as FMS V’s Aloycius Fitial and Mohamod Minto combined for three more points to widen the gap.
COVMS V finally broke through in the final eight minutes of the first half when Jose Santos scored four straight points, followed by teammate Jayce Alepuyu splitting a pair of free throws. However, they still trailed 11-5 going into halftime.
The second half saw COVMS V increase their aggressiveness, generating more shots and drawing fouls, but momentum remained elusive. Their offense stalled again, producing only two points off free throws from Benaiah Murphy and Alepuyu.
FMS V, meanwhile, continued to roll. Ben Hossain and Dayron San Nicolas took over the scoring load with five and four points, respectively, pushing the lead into double digits. In the closing minutes, COVMS V’s Lelan Mettao tried to spark a late rally with two unanswered baskets, but the comeback fell short as Jonas sealed the win with a decisive finish at the rim.
With the 25-11 victory, FMS V successfully defended their championship title.
Jonas, celebrating his first-ever championship medal, reflected on the moment with pride.
“It feels good — it’s my first medal,” he said. “I always wanted to get this; this is my dream.”
Jonas played on the junior varsity team as a seventh grader but said stepping up to varsity and winning the title made the achievement even sweeter. He credited Hopwood Middle School V as the team’s toughest opponent of the season — even though COVMS V eliminated Hopwood in the semifinals.
He went on to thank head coach Dexter Tenorio, assistant coaches Ezekiel Macario and Michael Suazo, his teachers, family, and all supporters.
Now in his final year of middle school, Jonas is already setting his sights on high school basketball, with plans to attend Saipan Southern High School.
Assistant coach and FMS teacher Ezekiel Macario praised the commitment of the young athletes.
“These guys sacrificed a lot of time,” Macario said. “They practice every day, Monday to Friday. They put in the work, and they saw the results when you put in hard work.”
He also credited head coach Tenorio as “the guy with the plan,” noting that he and the assistant staff focused on executing that vision. Although FMS V will lose players as they move up to high school, Macario expressed optimism for the future, saying the team will “definitely keep on working hard” as they prepare for next season.
