By Robert Balajadia

The Guam Basketball Association (GBA) officially kicked off Season 2 Sunday afternoon at the UOG Calvo Field House with a triple-header of tip-off games.

Tooth Fairies 84, Team Justice 70

GBA Season 1’s defending champion Sushi Rockets have taken a new moniker for Season 2, now balling as the Harmon Loop Dental Tooth Fairies. The Rockets went unbeaten last season and the Tooth Fairies got their second go at a title off to a strong start by dispatching Team Justice.

The Tooth Fairies were led in scoring by new addition Edgaurdo Baza with 20 points while getting a 18-point outing from James Stake. Earvin Jose had 14 points and dished out seven assists for the Fairies, getting the newest members of the team heavily involved.

“It wasn’t difficult getting our new guys involved, it was more so difficult finding who we were going to add to the team. The guys we did pick up have played very efficiently and had no issues despite running as a team for the first time. From here on out it’s just going to look a whole lot better,” said Jose.

Team Justice got a team high 19 points from Derrick Royster and 12 points each from John Chaco and Roque Charfauros.

The Tooth Fairies jumped out to a double-digit lead after the first quarter and maintained steady control of the game until early in the 3rd.

Justice had scored on two straight layups to trim the lead 47-40 with seven minutes still left to play, just before the Tooth Fairies Stake and Alfredo Royster scored on fast break buckets to bulk their lead. Closing the 3rd on a 9-2 run, the Tooth Fairies took control up 66-51 heading into the final stretch.

A pair of late threes from Jerry Hinkle kept the Justice sideline in the game, but a close out quarter from Baza, Jose and Kurt Long were more than enough to secure the Justice win.

With a six-team line-up for the GBA’s second season, Jose believes highly competitive basketball will keep this years championship favorites a tough selection.

“With the edition of the Bombers and other additions to other teams like Joe Blas to the MVP Stars, this league is going to be way more competitive. Everyone’s going to bring it and I’m excited to see how the rest of the season turns out.”

Other Scores

Phoenix Sons 92, UOG Tritons 70

(PHX) Tomas Calvo – 22 points, Sammy Setik – 18 points, EJ Calvo – 16 points
(UOG) Devin San Agustin – 14 points, Karlo De Leon – 14 points

KFC Bombers 119, MVP Stars 107 – OT

(KFC) T. Moses – 25 points/14 rebounds, R. Trahan – 22 points/12 rebounds/9 assists
(MVP) Joe Blas – 32 points, JP Cruz – 26 points