CHECKPOINT will have their rematch against the Easy Riders in the open division finals of the 2023 Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club Invitational Basketball League after eliminating The Game-Eats Easy, 86-48, on Saturday at the Koblerville gym.
The opening quarter saw both teams building momentum.
The Game worked with their strength — the inside approach — enabling JC Ferrari, Preston Basa, and JR Galang to deliver two buckets each. Checkpoint also worked around the perimeter, but kept their options open from afar as Chioni Dela Cruz connected two triples followed by another courtesy of Coby Santos to gain a slight advantage, 21-17.
Checkpoint kept the fuel burning in the second canto with Keith Santos coming off the bench to score 12 points, including two triples, while teammate Tony Kim added five points. The Game, for their part, scored only 10 points and fell behind, 27-40.
The Game tried to get out of the gutter but continued to struggle throughout the third period while Checkpoint found more confidence from beyond the arc with Keith Santos, Greg Sablan, and Coby Santos contributing a bucket each to maintain a comfortable distance, 57-38.
In the final quarter, The Game’s Kelvin Fitial kept the fight going with back-to-back threes, but they could not stop Checkpoint’s offensive plays, which included five triples en route to victory, 86-48.
Scores:
Checkpoint 86 – Keith Santos 23, Chioni Dela Cruz 20, Coby Santos 12, Greg Sablan 6, Tony Kim 6, Gerald Flores 6, Jeff Castro 5, Juan Camacho 4, Carlo Castillo 4
The Game-Eats Easy 48 – JR Galang 12, Preston Basa 11, Kelvin Fitial 8, Greg Deleon Guerrero 7, JC Ferrari 6, DJ Ong 4
In this file photo, Checkpoint’s Keith Santos extends for the finish against the Easy Riders during an open division game of the 2023 Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club Invitational Basketball League at the Gualo Rai basketball court.
