Elite’s Su Diwa extends for the reverse layup against Royal Pacific/Islander Rent A Car during a semifinal game of the 2nd Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club-Saipan MagaHaga Lady Eagles Group Basketball Tournament at the Ada gym on Saturday.
Elite’s Choini Dela Cruz pulls up for the three-point shot over a Royal Pacific/Islander Rent A Car defender during a semifinal game of the 2nd Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club-Saipan MagaHaga Lady Eagles Group Basketball Tournament at the Ada gym on Saturday.
ELITE and East Side Cuts/Saipan Fresh Market are one win away from a title shot in the 2nd Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club-Saipan MagaHaga Lady Eagles Group Basketball Tournament 2024 after triumphing over their respective opponents in Game 1 of the semifinal series at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium on Saturday.
Elite narrowly escaped defeat against Royal Pacific/Islander Rent A Car, 66-63.
Both teams seemed matched as they traded buckets during the opening half.
Royal Pacific/Islander Rent A Car focused on one strategy: look for the outlet pass for a fastbreak opportunity. They turned defense into offense with Rodel Pastrana capitalizing off the transition play with 20 points.
Elite countered with unselfish ball movement as a way to get every player on the court involved. Jeff Castro and Eli Aughenbaugh led the first 10 minutes with a combined 12 points while Coby Santos, Jack Aranda, and Su Diwa added 13 points to maintain the upper hand going into halftime, 36-31.
The back-and-forth battle continued throughout the second half.
Royal Pacific/Islander Rent A Car stuck to their initial strategy with Pastrana picking up where he left off by scoring nine points to close the distance.
However, Elite’s Greg Sablan quickly answered with two consecutive mid-range shots followed by two more buckets contributed by Santos, Diwa and Chioni Dela Cruz to retain a comfortable distance, 46-42.
Pastrana’s efforts eventually became irrelevant due to Elite’s full-court pressure. Although his teammates tried to step up, they were unable to match their scoring leader’s production, giving Elite the opportunity to pull away. Santos and Mi’i Tekopua connected the last seven points to secure the win, 66-63.
East Side Cuts/Saipan Fresh Market vs Unity Trade
Joining the winner’s circle was East Side Cuts/Saipan Fresh Market, which manhandled Unity Trade, 82-66.
East Side Cuts/Saipan Fresh Market established dominance in the first half. Highlighted by great defensive coverage, they were able to minimize Unity Trade’s offensive output and score off each successful stop with Airson Atan and Francisco Mizutani at the frontline, putting up 12 and nine points, respectively, to give their team a double-digit lead, 44-32.
In the second half, Unity Trade’s Douglas Schmidt suddenly heated up with 19 points, but East Side Cuts/Saipan Fresh Market had an answer for every shot made, maintaining its lead and cruising to an 82-66 victory.
Scores
Elite 66 – Coby Santos 12, Eli Aughenbaugh 10, Jack Aranda 9, Chioni Dela Cruz 8, Jeff Castro 7, Su Diwa 6, Mi’i Tekopua 4, Kyle Aldan 2, Greg Sablan 4, Tony Kim 2, Keith Santos 2
Royal Pacific/Saipan Fresh Market 63 – Rodel Pastrana 35, Jeffrey Victoria 13, JV Bayking 4, Bryan Junaquio 4, Paova Yanto 2, Prinz Sarroca 2, Nick Abad 2, Ronald Rueda 1
***
East Side Cuts/Saipan Fresh Market 82 – Francisco Mizutani 24, Airson Atan 19, Marvin Rabauliman 15, Steve King 7, Riv Sanchez 7, Matt Duenas 4, Iverson Atan 3, Alex Lauron 2, Hank Sablan 1
Unity Trade 66 – Douglas Schmidt 29, Elmer Esdrelon 6, Juan Camacho 8, Christian De Vero 7, Dhan Mateo 6, Shane Deleon Guerrero 4, Preston Basa 3, Paul Quizon 2, Frank Ferrer 1
