Easy Riders’ Renren Gaviola goes up for the finish as Checkpoint’s Sid Quan attempts the chasedown block during a playoff game of the 2023 Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club Invitational Basketball League at the Gualo Rai basketball court on Wednesday.
Easy Riders’ Andrew Ashburn takes the midrange floater over two defenders during a playoff game of the 2023 Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club Invitational Basketball League at the Gualo Rai basketball court on Wednesday.
THE Easy Riders secured their seat in the finals of the 2023 Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club Invitational Basketball League on Wednesday by outlasting Checkpoint, 62-60, at the Gualo Rai basketball court.
It was a championship-like game with both teams exchanging blows from start to finish.
Checkpoint controlled the first quarter as they bombarded the Easy Riders with long-ranged shots. Coby and Keith Santos ignited the run with a pair of triples to gain the lead while Easy Riders’ Frank Ferrer and Andrew Ashburn responded in kind to stay within reach.
Coby and Keith continued to deliver with a three-pointer each, but the Easy Riders kept the fight going within the perimeter.
Down 17-22, the Easy Riders turned the tide in the second canto with defensive highlights.
With their long-range approach completely closed off, Checkpoint struggled inside the paint and could only rely on free throw opportunities. For their part, the Easy Riders led by Cris Diwa and Jorge De Guzman eventually snatched the lead, 34-29.
In the third quarter, the Easy Riders’ pressure defense continued to affect Checkpoint, which committed turnovers, handing Austin Camacho and Diwa scoring opportunities. The two combined 10 points on the other end to give the Easy Riders a double-digit advantage, 51-39.
But Checkpoint never gave up and nearly pulled a fourth-quarter comeback.
Checkpoint handed the Easy Riders a taste of their own medicine with a full court press while Jeff Castro took advantage of each turnover with fast break finishes. Coby and Keith Santos then took over the final five minutes of the game to erase the gap and regain the lead, but this was quickly taken away by Diwa’s six consecutive points followed by Ashburn’s midrange jumper and a free throw shot to give the Easy Riders the lead, 62-58, with less than 15 seconds on the clock.
During Checkpoint’s final attempt, Coby Santos was fouled while going up for a three-pointer with three seconds remaining.
Santos drained the first two of three attempts and missed the third intentionally. He then grabbed his own rebound and made the put back attempt in midair, but missed.
The Easy Riders’ Raymond Velasco then secured the possession until the time ran out to lock in the win for his team, 62-60.
The Easy Riders now head to the championship round while Checkpoint will face The Game-Eats Easy with the winner advancing to the finals.
The Game-Eats Easy remained in contention by eliminating the CK Saints, 57-55, thanks to JR Galang and Francisco Mizutani’s free throw shots.
Scores:
Easy Riders 62 – Cris Diwa 16, Andrew Ashburn 10, Austin Camacho 10, Craig Padayao 8, Frank Ferrer 6, Renren Gaviola 5, Jorge De Guzman 3, Raymond Velasco 3, Julius Domine 2
Checkpoint 60 – Coby Santos 21, Keith Santos 18, Jeff Castro 6, Tony Kim 3, Sid Quan 3, Greg Sablan 2, Chioni Dela Cruz 2, Juan Camacho 1
