The CNMI Junior Nationals remained winless in the boys division of the 2013 U19 Micronesian Basketball Tournament after falling to Guam U19, 57-78, last Monday night at the Father Duenas Memorial School Phoenix Centre in Hagatna.

The Commonwealth youth cagers kept up with the host in the first quarter, forcing a standoff, 17-all, before Guam seized control in the second canto to hand the visitors a 0-2 record in the four-team tournament. The CNMI absorbed a close 67-72 loss at the hands of Guam U16 in MBT's final game on opening day last Sunday.

In their second game, Tinian's Marc Babauta unloaded 6 straight points in the opening canto, while Chris Mizer also had a string of 5 points midway in the first period, and Erick Dela Rosa added two charities to tie the game after 10 minutes of play.

Mizer added 4 more markers in the second canto and he was the lone CNMI player to make more than one field goal in that period, while Guam drew at least 4 points each from four different players to take a 35-27 halftime advantage.

The lead increased to double digits in the third, 56-40, as the CNMI continued to struggle on offense, scoring only 13 markers. No player from the visiting team connected on more than one field goal in the third period. Babauta, who was limited to 2 points in the second canto, also had a deuce in the third, while Mizer was scoreless. Bryle Alegre nailed 4 points in the third, but nailed only one field goal and two charities.

While the CNMI could not get its offense going at the start of the second half, Guam got the points it needed with Michael Sakazaki drilling 12 points in the third period and drawing enough help from his teammates.

Down by 16 with just one quarter to go, Ichitaro Faisao, who was scoreless in the first three periods, started the fourth with a triple, but that failed to spark a CNMI rally, as Guam answered the visitors' every basket to keep the double-digit lead.

Sakazaki paced Guam with his 20 points, while Sammy Setik chipped in 13. Babauta still top-scored for the CNMI with his 17 markers, while Mizer contributed 9.

Meanwhile, the CNMI was trying to get into the win column last night against Palau, while the Commonwealth' cagebelles also faced Palau in the women's division. The CNMI won its opener in the women's division, beating Guam U16, 45-29.

Today, the Commonwealth's female players challenge Guam U19, while the CNMI men's takes a break today. Rufino Aguon, Ed Manalili, and Keith Nabors are coaching the CNMI's men's squad, while Preston Basa and Connie Camacho are calling the shots for the girls squad.

Guam U19 78 -- Michael 20, Setik 13, A. Blaz 12, Blas 7, Pak 7, Payumo 4, T. Blaz 3, Delos Santos 2.

CNMI 57 -- Babauta 17, Mizer 9, Alegre 7, Tudela 6, Dela Rosa 6, Faisao 3, Maui 2, Pettis 2, Feria 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-17, 35-27, 56-40, 78-57