FRANCISCO M. Sablan Middle School claimed the girls middle school division championship after defeating Dandan Middle School, 25-15, in the IT&E Interscholastic Basketball League Saturday at the Marianas High School gym.
FMS, which did not lose a single game in the season, needed to focus on one thing only: giving the ball to Rosie Saralu.
Her ability to handle the ball well and pull up from anywhere around the perimeter was more than enough to put her team ahead as she scored the first four points with ease in the first half.
During the second half, Dandan Middle School started to find their groove with Shaenna Yamada leading the run while Jahsmin Ramon and Kailani Laniyo contributed two buckets each.
However, with Kohane Nishimura’s three-point shot and Saralu delivering 12 points, FMS had a comfortable lead, 15-8.
But DMS continued to put up a fight in the second half with Ramon stepping up with clutch buckets to cut the deficit and force FMS coach Dexter Tenorio to call a timeout.
When play resumed, FMS countered DMS’ fastbreak transition play with a tighter defense that turned into offense as Saralu went on another shooting spree, delivering seven points, including a triple, to regain a double-digit control en route to victory, 25-15, and the championship.
FMS coach Dexter Tenorio was very pleased with his players’ skills and overall performance. “The fact that we didn’t lose a game in the entire tournament is just a bonus for the team,” he said.
“The team’s focus, from the very beginning, was to waste no time and to practice before each game,” he added.
“They really wanted to win — their unity on the court and their hearts — that’s what they showed in every game. We played to win.”
DMS was their biggest threat and Tenorio made sure to study their every move.
“I watched DMS games,” he said. “I didn’t miss a single game of theirs and I studied their movements. They also have tall players, good ball movement, especially in the fastbreak. That is where they can’t be stopped. They gave us a good game and that is sure to be liked by the viewers.”
Tenorio wants to thank “the family members and all the teachers and staff who supported us — and thank you very much for the trust and opportunity that FMS gave me as a coach.”
FMS won the girls middle school championship of the IT&E Interscholastic Basketball League Saturday at the MHS gym.
FMS’ Rosie Saralu looks up as she gathers for the shot during the girls middle school championship match against DMS in the IT&E Interscholastic Basketball League Saturday at the MHS gym.
