Andersen Bombers, MHS Freshmen triumph

The Andersen Bombers downed the CNMI Nationals, 102-91, during the title game in the men’s division of the 2014 BANMI-DCCA/DYS Friendship Basketball Tournament last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Bombers attacked early to build a 33-14 advantage and never looked back, as they countered almost every shot the CNMI Nationals connected in the last three quarters. Brian Cooper anchored Andersen’s jackrabbit start, as he drilled 12 points in the first period. He finished with a game-high 28 points, leading three other Bombers in scoring at least 20 markers each. Barry Endsley chipped in 26, while Asa Brinson and Ledget Glover contributed 21 and 20, respectively.

Jason Lampkin had 21 points to pace the CNMI Nationals, who used the tournament that started last Thursday to prepare for next month’s 2014 Micronesian Games in Pohnpei. He was the lone bright spot in the CNMI National’s inconsistent offense in the first period, as the lanky center tallied 8 points in the opening 10 minutes of play.

The CNMI Nationals then began hitting their targets in the second half and scored 22 points, but with the Bombers firing three triples in that period and Cooper still drawing help from his teammates, the visiting squad protected a double-digit advantage at halftime, 56-36.

Members of the Andersen Bombers pose with their trophy after beating the CNMI Nationals, 102-91, in a fundraising tournament last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. Joining the visiting team in the photo are BANMI’s Elias Rangamar, standing second left, and Abner Venus, standing fifth left. (Contributed Photo)

In the second half, the Micro Games-bound CNMI Nationals managed to outgun the Bombers 29-24 and 28-22, to cut the deficit to a decent number.
The victory was the visiting team’s second in as many games against the Nationals, as the Bombers hammered the home squad in their first meeting last Saturday, 102-78.

Joining the Andersen Bombers in the champion’s circle was MHS Freshmen, which edged the Rollers in the title match in the co-ed division, 73-67.
The Dolphins survived the Rollers’ fourth-quarter run en route to the 6-point win. MHS held Rollers to single-digit scoring in each of the first two quarters for a 36-16 spread and stretched the lead to 23 at the end of the third canto, 54-31, before the latter mounted a comeback.

C.J. Morales took matters on his own hands to bring the Rollers back in the game, but they only moved within 4 points and fell short in the end. The Rollers exploded for 36 points in the final canto against the 20 of MHS. The Dolphins hit timely free throws in the homestretch to foil the Rollers’ comeback bid.

Wilfredo Francisco top-scored for MHS with 27 points, while Djay Ong and John Darag registered 20 and 16, respectively. Morales had 28 for the Rollers.

Meanwhile, organizers of the tournament that aimed to raise funds for the CNMI teams competing in the Micro Games would like to thank the following for their support: DCCA-DYS, Bridge Capital, All-Stars Sporting Goods, Brabu Pharmacy, Coca Cola, Micronesian Brokers, National Office Supply, DFS Galleria, Marianas Resort, Blue Haus, Anderson Bombers, I Love Saipan, Junior Nationals, Rollers, and Hoops. I Love Saipan, Blue Haus, and Mariana Resort joined the CNMI Nationals and Andersen Bombers in the men’s division, while the CNMI Women’s Nationals and Junior Nationals participated in the co-ed competition.

First Game

MHS Freshmen 73 – Francisco 27, Ong 20, Darag 16, Dalton 3, Abobo 2, Ellama 2, Zietzkie 2.

Rollers 67 – Morales 28, Espinosa 12, Arceo 8, Cruz 8, Ogumoro 3, Cudia 1.

Scoring by quarters: 17-9, 36-16, 54-31, 73-67.

Second Game

Andersen Bombers 102 – Cooper 28, Endsley 26, Brinson 21, Glover 20, Covington 3, Lumpkin 2.

CNMI Nationals 91 – Lampkin 21, Caro 17, Barcinas 15, Lizama 14, Basa 11, Tudela 7, Joyner 2.

Scoring buy quarters: 33-14, 56-36, 80-63, 102-91.