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By Robert Balajadia

Typhoons’ Joe Blas goes up and under the incoming Bombers defender Ronnie Jamison as he puts the ball up for two. (photo by Jesse Castro)
The Andersen Bombers had the Tamuning Typhoons right where they wanted them late in the game, or so it seemed.
Typhoons’ forward Joe Blas was the man of the hour, hitting a deep three-pointer as time expired to tie the game at 57 where the Bombers got a big lift from Edgardo Baza to defeat the Bombers 66-61 in the battle of the undefeated teams in the Golden Hoops Classic. Blas finished with a game high 25 points.
Andersen was leading 56-54 with less than a minute left in the game when Brian Cooper stepped to the free throw line where he made just one of two shots to go up 57-54.
The Typhoons were down by three and tried to go to Blas for the clutch bucket, but Blas stumbled on the play and lost the ball which allowed the Bombers to advance the ball and head to the free throw line behind Cooper once again with five seconds left on the clock. Blas was looking for the foul call but didn’t get it.
The first free throw clanked off back rim and Typhoons coach Elsa Ujoa began shouting to advanced the ball immediately if Cooper were to miss the second. The second free throw looked much like the first and had the same result, allowing Typhoons Dominic Sablan just seconds to get a shot up.
The ball was nearly stolen when Sablan dished the ball to Blas at half court, but he controlled it and took one dribble before pulling up four feet behind the three-point line, burying the game tying shot over two defenders.
“Earlier, I was warming up from that spot. Once I saw it was a long rebound I just took off down court and made sure they weren’t in a spot to intercept the ball. I knew I could knock it down, especially with the momentum of my dribble,” stated Blas on the final seconds of the game.
Fans from both ends got off their seats in applause for Blas’ late game heroics, but there was still an overtime to go before the winner was decided.
Baza hit two consecutive difficult layups and got fouled while shooting a three pointer, netting six straight points for the Typhoons that put them up 63-61. The Bombers would get a couple of easy baskets that kept it close but a late turnover, and a Typhoon offensive scramble with less than 20 seconds left, allowed Derrick Royster to officially end the game with a three pointer to give the Typhoons the 66-61 win.
Sammy Setik scored 12 big points for the Typhoons while also getting 10 points from sharp shooter JP Cruz. Michael Evans had 10 points to lead the Bombers in a well divided scoring output.
The Typhoons and Bombers always make for an exciting game but Blas is always confident that his squad will always walk away victorious.
“They are tough, well coached, and really athletic, but we could beat them. I’m going to keep saying that. As long as they say they can beat us, I’m going to keep saying we can beat them.”
The Typhoons are the only undefeated in the Golden Hoops Classic at (6-0) while the Bombers drop to (6-1)
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Typhoons’ Dominic Sablan breaks out towards the hoop creating a fast paced game. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Bombers’ Michael Evans gets through the Typhoons defense and puts in two more points. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Bombers’ Barry Endsley all alone in Typhoons territory puts up two points with this layup. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Trailing teammate Dominic Sablan on a fast break from a steal, Typhoons’ Sammy Setik puts up the two points from a well-executed pass. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Bombers’ Ledget Glover manages to get a shot off through a high-low double team defense by Typhoons Joe Blas and Dominic Sablan. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Typhoons’ Joe Blas goes for a short two point shot with key heavily defended by the Bombers. (photo by Jesse Castro)
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GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for November
1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
ISA BOYS SOCCER
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for December
5th
Events for December
7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Events for December
9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
Events for December
11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for December
12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
15th
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
Events for December
18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
Events for December
19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
19th
Events for December
23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
Events for December
23rd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
27th
Events for December
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for December
30th

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
3×3 HOOPS REPEAT AS GOLDEN BOYS

Basketball
RAPADAS LEADS WILD COUGAR COMEBACK

Baseball
GUAM HOSTS KIWIS IN U15 BASEBALL

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
SHARKS FEND OFF DOLPHINS IN GIRLS HOOPS
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs