By Robert Balajadia

Guam’s premier basketball league, the Guam Basketball Association (GBA), tipped off their first season Saturday evening with a triple-header of games featuring all six teams of the league.

The Sushi Rockets dragon-rolled over the MVP Stars in the days first matchup in a 113-76 victory. The Stars received a huge 38-point performance from guard JP Cruz, but the overall team effort from the Rockets made Cruz’s big game a non-factor. Rashaun Blas led the Rockets with 16 points.

The Auto Spot Phoenix Sons managed to pull away from the Camacho for Congress Four Stars team after a close 1st quarter with the Sons getting a 103-69 win. Ollie Bradley had a game-high 33 points for the Sons in the win.

The final game of the night, Team Justice grabbed a big win over the UOG Tritons 97-76 after Reggie Rechebong put on his super-hero cape and exploded for 24 4th quarter points.

A close game with Justice leading 68-67 midway through the final period, Rechebong caught fire scoring 24 of the teams 34 quarter points!

Sons overcome slow start

The first 12 minutes of basketball weren’t pretty for the Sons after falling behind the 4 Stars 18-16 in the opening period. After the team accumulated more turnovers than assists in the opening period, the Sons hit an offense groove behind the sharp shooting of Ollie Bradley and Julius Yu.

Bradley had the game high 33 points and Yu had 18 doing most of his damage from downtown. The Sons outscored 4 Stars 29-12 in the 2nd quarter with Bradley scoring eight for the Sons for a 45-30 lead.

Phoenix would keep the second half hot by outscoring the Stars 58-39 for the 103-69 final.

Premier scorers like Bradley and Yu have never played together on the same team before, but did managed to gel nicely in the second half.

“He can play all positions from point guard to center. It makes my job easier because all I have to do is get the ball to him!,” said Yu.

The league itself has drawn high praise from both players and fanbase, providing free access to Guam’s top level basketball talents. For being a part of the whole thing, Yu is just glad there is a venue for all the best to compete against each other.

“It’s good to finally get the best basketball players out here. There’s a lot of elite players and this league will open up opportunities for everybody and it gives us a chance to showcase our talent,” added Yu.

Action continues Sunday (4/3) with another batch of games:

3pm Auto Spot Phoenix Sons vs. UOG Tritons

5pm Sushi Rockets vs. Team Justice

7pm MVP Stars vs. Camacho for Congress 4 Stars