WARRIORS EDGE BY KNIGHTS

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By John Odtohan

Knights’ Argie Flores shoots the jumper over the defense of Warriors’ John San Andres. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

The St. Paul Warriors continue their undefeated streak as they edged out the St. John Knights 63-59 at the SPCS gymnasium Tuesday night.

The Knights were up 46-38 with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, led by the sharp 3-point shooter Daniel Del Carmen. Coming off a timeout, the Warriors picked up the intensity forcing turnovers and making easy shots. The Warriors went on a 7-0 run led by Sheik Cariño. The gym exploded with cheers from the St. Paul fans after Cariño hit two free throws to put the Warriors ahead 50-49. With costly turnovers by the Knights, Warriors’ Jason Aquino was able to make back-to-back layups including an “and one” to put his team up 55-49. It wasn’t long until Knights’ Del Carmen drained a three from downtown cutting the deficit to only three. With both teams fighting until the end , the Warriors were able to seal the game with clutch free throws in the final seconds.

Warriors’ Brian Tsuji opens the game up with this and-one layup between two Knights defenders. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sheik scored 13 of his game high 27 points in the fourth quarter and was also perfect from the line going seven-for-seven. When asked what motivated Sheik in the fourth quarter he stated, “My teammates were looking up on me, I had to pick it up and show them my leadership.” Sheik also added, “We didn’t want to lose in our home court. We had to gut it out. We had a terrible first half. After halftime Coach Paul talked to us and we were able to pull it off”.

The first half was evenly matched as both teams struggled on offense. It was in the first quarter when Knights’ Argie Flores stole the ball and launched it down court to teammate Reed Meyer who finished with an exciting two handed slam. Surprisingly that was not the highlight of the quarter. It was not until the closing seconds of the first quarter where Reed skied for a put back dunk that tied the game 15-15, leaving the fans jumping to their feet.

The Knights controlled most of the game as they made multiple treys, grabbed rebounds, forced turnovers, and forced numerous offensive fouls on the Warriors. Del Carmen was on fire behind the ark as he hit five threes in the game.

When the Warriors looked like they were losing control of the game, their fans backed them up until the end. It was the frenzy home crowd that enabled the Warriors to pull off the fourth quarter comeback.

“The St. Paul fans are amazing. They are with us 100% trough thick and thin, even last year when we lost. This year we are trying to prove ourselves to the fans,” Cariño stated.

Warriors’ Tito Canovas scores the easy fast break layup. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

The only senior and team captain for the Warriors, Tito Canovas, came off the bench due to an injury but came out with the energy to win.

“It wasn’t so much of his scoring, but because he is my only senior his leadership is what helped us,” stated Warriors oach Paul Pineda.

Tito is a definition of a true warrior; when asked how good was his ankle after the game, he said, “It was only 30%.”

The Warriors Sheik Cariño scored a game high 27 points while teammate Jason Aquino chipped in 10. Del Carmen came off the bench and scored 22 points for the Knights. Argie Flores contributed 14 points while Reed Meyer scored 9 points and tallied 14 rebounds.

The Warriors (3-0) next game will be this Friday against their rivals the Okkodo Bulldogs (3-0) at OHS gymnasium . Both teams are the only undefeated teams in the Northern division. For the last few years, each game they have played came down to the final seconds, including the 2010-2011 championship game won by the Warriors where Canovas drained the last two free throws in the final second to seal the victory for the Warriors.

In the Junior Varsity game the Warriors beat the Knights 61-54 in OT. Arvin Flores of the Knights made a half court buzzer beating shot to force the overtime.

OTHER GAMES :

Father Duenas 72, ND 24
Michael Sakazaki returns from Australia and scores 25 points.

Okkodo 47, Sanchez 38
Leading scorer: Joseph Ruppen, 14 points.
Junior Varsity : Bulldogs won 56-43

JFK 77, Harvest 61
Wayne Jesus 27 points .

GW 53, Southern 40
Devan Maluwelmeng, 12 points, 11 rebounds and 3 steals. Rashaun Blas, 19 points.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Knights’ Reed Meyer attempts the mid range jumper. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Warriors’ Sheik Carino looks to start the fast break late in the game. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Knights’ HJ Kim looks to score the jumper through a cluster of Warriors defenders. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Warriors’ Sheik Carino makes the quick dish to teammate Isaiah Ewerr under the rim. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Knights’ Argie Flores attempts the fast-break layup late in the game. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Warriors’ Jason Aquino skies to attempt the layup over the defense of Knights’ TJ Atalig who tries to draw the charge.

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