[sixcol_five_last]

By Colin Leon Guerrero

Will Stinnett from team Justice blocks DFS’s Earvin Jose’s shot. (photo by Asha Robles)

The GHRA Basketball League began their varsity championship series Tuesday night as Team Justice battled it out with DFS for the 64-58 victory at the Tamuning Gym. Team Justice now has a 1-0 lead in this best of 3 championship series.

The much younger DFS came out aggressive to start the first half thanks to quick jumpers by Valiant Borja and Earvin Jose giving DFS the early 4-0 lead. However, turnovers and early foul trouble allowed Justice to catch up and take the lead 12-9 ten minutes into the half.

The lead would go back and forth with both teams fighting for the upper hand in the game. Justice Sharpshooter Reggie Rechebong caught fire midway through the first scoring back-to-back three’s increasing Justice’s lead 21-16.

Borja answered back for DFS with a pair of quick jumpers pulling his team within five as DFS was down 20-25 with four minutes remaining. As the first half ended, the score was tied 28-28.

In the second half DFS again came out with a lot momentum. After a three-point-play by Seve Susico that gave DFS a four-point lead at 34-30, Jose and teammate Marsever Kepue scored three back-to-back baskets as DFS opened up a ten point lead 42-32 seven minutes into the second half.

Justice would fight back as Rechebong again would get things going for his team beginning with a three-point-play followed by a three point jumper which gave Justice the lead 45-43. Willie Stinnett provided Justice with some offense off of the bench scoring 13 of his 17 points in the second half with Justice trying to maintain its lead til the end of the game.

“I just try to come off aggressive and give us some good minutes,” Stinnett when asked about his bench role.

DFS did not go quietly as Jose tried to keep things close, but the defense from Justice was good enough to prevent him from taking the lead, as they secured game 1.

Rechebong would lead Team Justice and all scorers with 23 points, and Stinnett with 17. Jose led DFS with 19 points and Borja with 15.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Jay Kasimiro from Justice drives the ball to the net, passing a DFS defender. (photo by Asha Robles)

Maksever Kepue from DFS looks to take the shot after a quick pass. (photo by Asha Robles)

James Stake from team Justice looks for open space to dribble while John Odtohan from DFS applies the pressure. (photo by Asha Robles)

Player of the match Will Stinnett goes one-on-one against DFS point guard Earvin Jose. (photo by Asha Robles)

[fbshare url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/basketball/justice-prevails-over-dfs/” type=”button”] [fblike url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/basketball/justice-prevails-over-dfs/” style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]

[/sixcol_five_last]