Tanapag’s Vince Guilas attempts the reverse layup as Gualo Rai’s Craig Padayao reaches for the block during a U18 boys division game of the 2022 Marianas Village Pride Basketball League on Saturday at the TSL Sports Complex.
Gualo Rai’s Derek Sasamoto extends for the left hand finish during a U18 boys division game of the 2022 Marianas Village Pride Basketball League on Saturday at the TSL Sports Complex.
IN the battle of the undefeated, Gualo Rai reigned supreme by edging Tanapag, 60-58, in the U18 boys division of the 2022 Marianas Village Pride Basketball League on Saturday at the TSL Sports Complex.
Gualo Rai grasped control early in the opening half led by Reed Camacho who delivered two buckets while team mate Derek Sasamoto followed up with five points.
Midway through, Tanapag started to find their rhythm with Vince Guilas acting as the sparkplug and draining two consecutive shots while team mates Gino Rasg and Johnkae Requepo contributed buckets in the remaining minutes.
Gualo Rai remained afloat thanks to its players coming off the bench, Craig Padayao and Lucio Aldan, who combined for seven points to end the half time with Gualo Rai in the lead, 25-18.
In the second half, the frontliners of both teams took over. Tanapag quickly closed in as Rasg knocked down back-to-back triples while team mate Frankie Satur cleaned the mess from underneath the rim.
But Gualo Rai continued to push forward thanks to the consistent play of Aldan, Padayao and Ellijah Garcia.
In the last few minutes of the game, Tapapag’s relentlessness seemed to have paid off as Raquepo connected two crucial makes to give his team the lead for the first time.
However, a careless pass led to a turnover, allowing Gualo Rai’s Leo Naraja to execute an and-one play for three points.
Down 57-59, Tanapag had one more chance to steal the win after Satur was sent to the charity line, but he split the two shots and was forced to foul Gualo Rai’s Aldan who also split the free throws, but it was enough to seal the deal, 60-58.
Koblerville vs San Antonio
Also on Sunday, Koblerville bested San Antonio, 68-59. Airson Atan led Koblerville with 30 points.
