Checkpoint team members pose for a photo before their game against the Vik Team in the 2023 Saipan MagaLahi Eagles Club Invitational Basketball League at the Gualo Rai basketball court.
CHECKPOINT are looking like the team to beat in the 2023 Saipan MagaLahi Eagles Club Invitational Basketball League after earning their second consecutive win by crushing the Vik Team, 115-72, Monday at the Gualo Rai basketball court.
Jack Aranda stole the spotlight in the opening quarter as he carried Checkpoint with 13 points, including three triples, to establish control, 24-18.
The Vik Team tried to equalize with each player on the court contributing buckets. However, Checkpoint’s lead continued to grow thanks to the solo highlights of Chioni Dela Cruz who scored 15 points — nine coming from beyond the arc — to give his team a more comfortable lead, 52-37.
Throughout the second half, brothers San and Ivan De Vero, along with Yugie Cruz, tried to build momentum for the Vik Team, but they could not stop Checkpoint’s onslaught.
Checkpoint’s Gab Camacho stood at the frontline during the third canto with eight points while team-mates Jeff Castro, Aranda and Dela Cruz returned in the fourth quarter to seal the deal, 115-72.
Scores
Checkpoint 115 – Chioni Dela Cruz 28,Jack Aranda 21, Jeff Castro 12, Carlo Castillo 12,Tony Kim 9, Coby Santos 9, Keith Santos 9, Gab Camacho 8, Juan Camacho 4, Paolo Yanto 2, Greg Sablan 1
Vik Team 72 – San De Vero 16, Joseph Torres 14,Yugie Cruz 14, Ivan De Vero 10, Web Gontar 7, Randel Nicodamus 5, Jerome Reyes 4, Marlon De Dios 2
