Unity Trade’s Juan Camacho protects the ball as three defenders close in during a game against Villaroyal Pawnshop in the open division of the 2nd Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club – Saipan MagaHaga Lady Eagles Group Basketball Tournament at the Ada gym on Saturday.
Unity Trade’s Elmer Esdrelon pulls up for the midrange jump shot during a game against Villaroyal Pawnshop in the open division of the 2nd Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club – Saipan MagaHaga Lady Eagles Group Basketball Tournament at the Ada gym on Saturday.
UNITY Trade secured their spot in the 2nd round of playoffs of the 2nd Saipan Magalahi Eagles Club – Saipan MagaHaga Lady Eagles Group Basketball Tournament 2024 by winning two games in the 1st round at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
On Sunday, Unity Trade beat CTSI/Friendly Market/DPA Car Mart, 84-78.
The game was not a walk in the park for Unity Trade.
In the first half, Unity Trade performed as expected with constant harassment on the defensive end while capitalizing off each successful stop. Elmer Esdrelon scored his team’s first five points while teammates Joel Javier and Dhan Mateo contributed eight and six points, respectively.
At the other end, CTSI/Friendly Market/DPA Car Mart’s Ervin Villarin delivered back-to-back buckets from beyond the arc while teammate Alex Ales scored another pair. Andrew Ashburn and John Thongaram then joined the scoring spree with eight points each to give their team the lead, 40-38.
CTSI/Friendly Market/DPA Car Mart maintained productivity throughout the second half as Thongaram picked up where he left off with three consecutive makes. Ashburn and Ales then provided support from the three-point line to keep the momentum burning.
As the game progressed, Unity Trade gradually cooked up a rally.
Douglas Schmidt, who was the defensive anchor for Unity Trade in the first half, suddenly exploded on the offensive end with critical transition finishes to cut down the deficit. Thanks to the inside help of Juan Camacho, Unity Trade eventually tied the score, 73-73, forcing overtime.
With momentum on their side, Unity Trade excelled in the extra five minutes of play as they allowed CTSI/Friendly Market/DPA Car Mart to just five points while Esdrelon and Preston Basa ensured victory with daggering back-to-back triples, 84-78.
On Saturday, Unity Trade collected their first win in round 1 of the playoffs by thrashing Villaroyal Pawnshop, 109-41.
Scores
Unity Trade 84 – Douglas Schmidt 19, Preston Basa 12, Elmer Esdrelon 11, Joel Javier 10, Dhan Mateo 8, Jack Lizama 6, Frank Ferrer 4, Ivan De Vero 4, Christian De Vero 4, Juan Camacho 4, Web Gontar 2
CTSI/Friendly Market/DPA Car Mart 78 – Ervin Villarin 23, John Thongaram 19, Andrew Ashburn 13, Alex Ales 12, Justine Enano 9, Nak Nakashima 2
