TEAM Elite retained their title in the open division of the 2nd Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club-Saipan MagaHaga Lady Eagles Group Basketball Tournament by outlasting Unity Trade, 77-73, in the championship game at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium on Sunday night.
Elite had an explosive start as they filled the opening quarter with a bombardment of triples. Chioni Dela Cruz shot pointblank from beyond the arc as he delivered the first three-pointer of the night and continued to punish defenders throughout the next 20 minutes with three more treys.
Although Unity Trade adjusted accordingly with better outside coverage, Elite proved to be just as effective within the perimeter as Coby Santos led the inside assault with 18 points to push a double-digit lead, 51-28.
The win already seemed to be in the palm of Elite’s hand, but Unity Trade thought otherwise as they cooked up a second-half rally.
Unity Trade was able to turn the tide with defense as they completely locked down Elite for the first eight minutes while Ivan De Vero, Douglas Schmidt, and Shane Deleon Guerrero carried the offensive end to record a 20-0 run and trail by just one possession, 48-51.
It was too good to be true, however, as Elite used a timeout to reassess their strategy. Su Diwa then reignited the flames with a last-second triple and Elite’s offense quickly spread like wildfire as Tony Kim and Dela Cruz followed up with back-to-back layups and three-pointers, respectively, for a nine-point advantage.
Unity Trade gradually regained momentum with Schmidt scoring nine straight points to trail by just two, 69-71. But Elite’s Santos retaliated with four consecutive points while Kim and Keith Santos connected the daggering shots to solidify their victory, 77-73.
Scores:
Elite 77 – Chioni Dela Cruz 27, Coby Santos 25, Su Diwa 7, Tony Kim 7, Jack Aranda 3, Mi’i Tekopua 4, Keith Santos 2, Eli Aughenbaugh 2
Unity Trade 73 – Christian De Vero 10, Shane Deleon Guerrero 17, Douglas Schmidt 17, Elmer Esdrelon 11, Frank Ferrer 7, Ivan De Vero 4, Dhan Mateo 3, Reymark Castro 2, Joel Javier 2
Team Elite players pose with the open division championship trophy during the awards ceremony of the 2nd Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club-Saipan MagaHaga Lady Eagles Group Basketball Tournament at the Ada gym on Sunday night.
Elite’s Coby Santos pulls up for the three-point shot over Unity Trade’s Elmer Esdrelon during the championship game in the open division of the 2nd Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club-Saipan MagaHaga Lady Eagles Group Basketball Tournament at the Ada gym on Sunday night.
Elite’s Mi’i Tekopua attempts a floater over Unity Trade’s Ivan De Vero during the championship game in the open division of the 2nd Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club-Saipan MagaHaga Lady Eagles Group Basketball Tournament at the Ada gym on Sunday night.
