TEAM Marianas claimed the open division championship of the Saipan Centennial Lions Club Basketball League by dismantling Lakay, 91-66, in the final game of their best-of-three title series Friday at the TSL Sports Complex.
Marianas played a long-range game with Dela Cruz leading the pack with two triples while team mates Sablan, Deleon Guerrero, Brennan and Aranda chipping in one each to establish a quick double-digit lead.
Lakay played the inside game but could not thrive due to Marianas’ aggressive defense.
Down 15-34, Lakay nonetheless continued to put up a fight in the second canto.
Gant, who could deliver from anywhere and at any angle, led Lakay’s offensive plays, scoring 11 points to cut the deficit, 34-48.
In the third quarter, Lakay’s efforts seemed to have worked in their favor as they managed to reduce the gap by 10 points.
However, Marianas’ Castro found his range from afar, knocking down three consecutive triples as his team once again expanded their lead, 70-52.
In the final quarter, their lead grew further. Marianas’ Santos excelled from all-around with six points while Deleon Guerrero, Naraja and Flores also delivered the buckets en route to a 91-66 blowout victory.
Three pointers
Where Marianas truly excelled was from the three-point line, and their game 3 performance was not a fluke, according to head coach Joe Diaz.
In international competitions, the CNMI usually plays against much taller teams.
Diaz’s strategy was to overcome that challenge by looking up to NBA teams such as the Warriors who excel from the three-point line.
“I believe all of these boys can shoot three-pointers because we train them to do that,” he said, referring to Team Marianas.
For their part, Lakay were the underdogs yet “they gave us a run for our money,” Diaz added. “We had to adapt to their gameplay and focus on shutting down their key players.”
Scores
Marianas 91 – Castro 18, Dela Cruz 12, Deleon Guerrero 12, Flores 9, Aranda 9, Santos 8, Sablan 7, Augenbaugh 5, Brennan 5, Naraja 4, Aldan 2
Lakay 66 – Gant 31, Jandoc 8, Basa 7, Rabauliman 6, Quan 4, Capalad 4, Santos 4
Marianas’ Castro pulls up for the three-point shot over Lakay’s Rabauliman during the open division championship game of the Saipan Centennial Lions Club Basketball League Friday at the TSL Sports Complex.
Marianas’ Deleon Guerrero rises up for the reverse layup against Lakay’s Jandoc during the open division championship game of the Saipan Centennial Lions Club Basketball League Friday at the TSL Sports Complex.
Team Marianas players pose with the open division championship trophy of the Saipan Centennial Lions Club Basketball League Friday at the TSL Sports Complex
