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By Niko Bulaon

Islanders Shaira Cortez gets fouled in the paint trying to make a short jumper. (photo by Jose Perez)

The IIAAG Girls’ Basketball league rolled in on Tuesday night with the JFK Islanders grabbing their season opener win against the St. Paul Warriors, 52-42, at the St. Paul gymnasium.

At the dawn of the third quarter, the Islanders started strong and motivated, keeping their opponents from scoring in the first two minutes. Islanders Rufina Royster blocked the Warriors’ leading scorer, Joylyn Pangilinan, forcing St. Paul to commit unnecessary fouls and turnovers.

Another three-pointer by Anita Onedera brought JFK’s lead up to eight, 29-21. But fouls from both Onedera and teammate Alison Bowman put the Warriors on the line, cutting the lead to only one, 31-30. But with the clock winding down, Bowman took a shot at the top of the key, ending the third with JFK still in the lead 33-30.

The Islanders started the fourth quarter just how the ended the third, adding points on the scoreboard after another layup by Bowman and a three-pointer by Onedera, brining their lead back up to eight. Pangilinan soon stepped up, sinking in layups with a breeze to try and cut her opponents lead, 43-36. But JFK didn’t let the Warriors pass them, answering every shot Pangilinan made to keep the lead, 48-36. At one minute to spare, multiple turnovers by the aggressive Warriors gave the Islanders second chance shots, ending the game on a high note.

“We just needed to play the basketball we know and we showed what we had,” stated Onedera on her team’s win.

In the first and second quarter, both the Warriors and the Islanders showed first game jitters, causing several turnovers and missing easy shots. With the lead changing, it was the Islanders who took off after careless fouls by St. Paul to end the second quarter, 26-21.

With it only being the first night of games, Onedera said, “I think we could do good, but we just have to work hard for it.”

Onedera led her team with 14 points with the help of teammate Bowman with 10 points. Pangilinan led all scorers with 27 points.

Other Scores

Southern 53, GW 44 – Dolphins: Marlisha Tenorio – 14 points, Brielle Meno – 10 points. Geckos: Dyonii Quitigua 14 points.

ND 49, GHS 22 – Royals: Destiny Castro – 22 points, Panthers: Asia Smith – 12 points.

Okkodo 75, St. John’s 11

Sanchez 37, Harvest 31 – Sharks: Shaniah Aguon 11 points, Kiara Toves 10 pts. Eagles: Elisha Benavente 12 points, Ariane Chabanne 9 pts.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Player of the game Anita Onedera.

With a tough defense on an in bound pass. Warriors Joy Pangilinan bounces the ball off the legs of an Islander defender, recovers the ball and makes an easy reverse layup. (photo by Jose Perez)

Warriors Jostin Yeban shoots the short jumper for two points. (photo by Jose Perez)

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