By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE VEGA Environmental 3×3 Tournament delivered an electrifying finale on Wednesday night, with the U18 division championship game highlighting Hotshots’ nail-biting 15-13 overtime victory against G Rollers at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
The matchup showcased the speed and skill of 3×3 basketball, with both teams battling fiercely for every point in a dramatic finish.
The opening minutes were fast-paced, with strong defensive pressure from both sides. Fighting through contact, Hotshots’ Matthelo Peters excelled on the attack, scoring four consecutive baskets at the rim. On the other end, G Rollers’ two-man game of Enzo Sasamoto and Dany Defang, featuring midrange shots and screens, kept the margin close.
Even with quick substitutions to maintain energy, neither team could gain a clear edge. In the latter half, Hotshots’ Nickolas Paul and Heman Addy took over, while Sasamoto kept G Rollers in contention, scoring six straight points — including a game-tying shot to force overtime at 13-13.
In the extra period, the 15-year-old G Rollers squad fell short, allowing Hotshots’ Addy enough space to drain the game-winning shot for a 15-13 victory and the U18 boys division championship title.
The Hotshots roster consisted of Kian Helgen, Matthelo Peters, Heman Addy, and Nickolas Paul, while G Rollers featured Enzo Sasamoto, James Matsumoto, Dany Defang, and Austin Hoeper.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.