BASKETBALL is back. And it is the Rollers who are off to a great start in the U17 division of the Rollers Basketball Association Holiday Tournament after gunning down Chinatown 51-8 during last Saturday’s debut held at the Koblerville basketball gym.
It was a slow-paced first half as both teams were still getting their feet wet. Rollers drew first blood with Jay Art Palmes draining a triple. With proper defensive pressure led by Merrick Toves recording three shot denials, the team created more shot opportunities with Leo Naraja orchestrating the offensive push with a handful of assists to gain the 12-4 lead.
Chinatown struggled but still an gave an undying effort on both ends of the court. Cadmiel Aque, Kerby Mangant, Aiden Suba and Miles Navarro displayed their dominance on the board with countless rebounds but their inability to score kept them at a disadvantage.
Rollers, on the other hand, thrived on offense as they found their second wind in the second half. Toves continued to attack with a triple of his own along with a few more buckets joined by Naraja and Darren Pangelinan to push an unreachable lead securing the victory early 51-8.
In the U13 division, Team Red came out victorious against Team Blue 39-20.
Team Red’s Mykee Mercado, Lance Lerio and Jezpher Navarro were the leading scorers contributing double digits while Team Blue’s Jared Villagomez and Christian Lucero were the only two players able to match up to their performances. With time passed, Team Red outlasted Team Blue to victory 39-20.
Rollers’ Jay Art Palmes attempts to drive past a Chinatown defender during last Saturday’s debut of the RBA Holiday Tournament U17 division held at the Koberville basketball gym. James F Sablan Jr.Â
Rollers Jeremiah Diaz squeezes past a defender during last Saturday’s debut of the RBA Holiday Tournament U17 division held at the Koberville basketball gym. James F Sablan Jr.Â