Members of the Team Marianas pose with the Michelob Ultra Cup championship trophy at the Ada gym on Saturday.
Team Marianas’ Lucio Aldan goes up for the finish against New Changming in the championship game of the Michelob Ultra Cup at the Ada gym on Saturday.
TEAM Marianas dominated New Changming, 102-71, in the championship game of the Michelob Ultra Cup 2024 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium on Saturday.
Team Marianas, which completed the tournament with an undefeated record, had an explosive start on both ends of the court. Defense was the highlight of the opening quarter as they nearly locked down New Changming, which could score seven points only.
On the offensive end, Team Marianas excelled as a unit with ball movement and communication to create easy buckets.
Marvin Rabauliman scored the first points and continued the punishment from inside the paint with eight points while Preston Basa added a couple of triples to seize a commanding 32-7 lead.
In the second quarter, New Changming started to bounce back. Ronald Bernardo ignited the run with a triple followed by another by Rodel Pastrana and one more by Christian David. With defensive pressure comes fouls, and that was where Team Marianas responded — from the free-throw line, scoring eight points to stay afloat, 50-28.
The second half continued to favor Team Marianas, thanks to their defensive dominance.
The relentless efforts of Douglas Schmidt, Coby Santos, and Lucio Aldan caused chaos among New Changming’s ranks, forcing a handful of turnovers as Team Marianas finished strong at the rim to further stretch the deficit.
In the fourth and final quarter, Preston Basa returned to take over the highlight reel with a couple of three-pointers along with two successful drives towards the hoop to keep the momentum of Team Marianas alive. New Changming’s Jonel Broncano and Pastrana fought till the very end, but they could not close the distance and eventually accepted defeat, 71-102.
Asked about Team Marianas’ overall performance, head coach Rufino Aguon said, “On island, they did pretty good. I believe they played the best of the best on the island and that’s a good thing. They have improved a lot since they first started.”
Aguon continued, “The way they played tonight showcased what they have been working on for the last couple of months. I just hope we had more competition so they can be even more ready to go,” referring to the Micronesian Games set for July 25 to August 5 in Majuro, the Mashall Islands.
The team’s lineup consists of Lucio Aldan, Airson Atan, Aiferson Atan, Douglas Schmidt, Preston Basa, Coby Santos, Chioni Dela Cruz, Greg Sablan, Marvin Rabauliman, Djaymarch Ong, Jack Lizama and Anotni Ogumoro.
Antoni Ogumoro is the youngest player at the age of 17. But with a height of 6’5, he can be a key factor for Team Marianas.
“He’s a great addition and he will make us competitive, medal-wise,” Aguon said. There is also a “50/50 possibility” that Philippine Basketball Association all-star player Jericho Cruz, who grew up on Saipan, may join Team Marianas.
So far, Aguon believes that the biggest challenge is still, and always will be Guam. “In the last Micro Games, the top teams were Guam, Marshalls, Pohnpei and Palau. Our goal is to be within those top teams,” he said,
Scores
Team Marianas 102 – Coby Santos 15, Preston Basa 17, Chioni Dela Cruz 12, Marvin Rabauliman 11, Douglas Schmidt 11, Airson Atan 10, Lucio Aldan 8, Antoni Ogumoro 7, Jack Lizama 4, Djaymarch Ong 4, Greg Sablan 2
New Changming 71 – Rodel Pastrana 20, Christian David 11, Mark Ferrer 6, Jonel Broncano 6, Ronald Bernardo 5, Marlon De Dios 4, Daryl Foronda 4, Juan Camacho 4, JV Baking 4, Ivan De Vero 2, Elmer Esdrelon 1, Su Diwa 1
