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By Colin Leon Guerrero

Warriors’ Sheik Carino attempts the floater over Friars’ Jonathan Diego. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

The Father Duenas Friars are poised for a good season after going undefeated and taking the championship in the high school boys basketball pre-season tournament held by the Okkodo girls and boys basketball teams Monday evening. The Friars defeated the St. Paul Warriors 65-47 in an exciting game that left the attending fans anxious to see what both teams have in store for the regular season.

Although it was a pre-season tournament, the crowd was emotional through out the entire game as both teams in the first two quarters were battling for control scoring back and forth. Hoever, each struggled to find a consistent rhythm early in the game. It was clear both teams were a little nervous due to careless turnovers and fouls that led to easy buckets – either by free throws, second chance points, or fast breaks.

Jon Onedera and Jeremiah Taitano were the two Friars that made sure that FD stayed ahead going into half time as both players combined for 13 of the Friars 26 points that would give them the lead 28-26 going into the second half.

In the second half the Friars came out aggressive on both ends of the court as they started to find their swagger, exploiting the Warriors weaknesses and building a 45-35 lead and never looked back. Taitano had a huge third quarter, scoring 9 of his 17 points. Also playing a big role in the Friars success was point guard Bruce Merrill who chipped in 13 for the Friars and played solid defense the entire game.

McDonald’s player of the game: Friars’ Bruce Merrill. 13 points

“Our plan was to play defense and execute our offense,” said Merrill who also played defense on the two top scorers for the Warriors, Shiek Carino and Tito Canovas; they combined for half of the teams 47 points. Merrill aslo explained that stopping them was key, “They were the two main threats on their team so obviously we wanted to stop them on defense, which I felt we did a good job on.”

When asked about what it meant by winning the pre-season tournament, Merrill looked at it as good preparation for the regular season and hopes to keep the momentum going. By the way things went for the Friars, it seems that they are well prepared for this upcoming season.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Warriors’ Jason Aquino contests the reverse layup from John Baza of the Friars. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Warriors’ Sheik Carino cuts through the Friars defense to score the layup. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Friars’ Christian Chang comes from behind to contest the shot of Warriors’ JJ Jackson. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Warriors’ Sheik Carino scores the floater over the much taller Christian Chang of the Friars. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Friars’ Jeremiah Taitano scores the hook shot over the defense of Warriors’ John San Andres. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Warriors’ Sheik Carino tries to dribble past the defense of Friars’ John Baza. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

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