ALUMNI TOURNEY PLAYOFFS HEATING UP

By Robert Balajadia

The Class of 2012 proved Monday night that they’re a legitimate threat to take the 2014 FD Alumni Basketball title after narrowly defeating the tough Class of 2010 64-60 in a thrilling down to the wire game while 1991/98 managed to hold off the Class of 2007’s late rally.

2012 – 64, 2010 – 60

Up 62-54 in the closing 30 seconds, 2012 nearly gave the game away allowing 2010 to score six straight points after two consecutive turnovers.

Chris Ueki converted on a layup, then 2012 had turned it over after the inbound allowing Ashton Wong to easily put back off a missed layup attempt. With less than 20 seconds to go, Ueki jumped the inbound pass, stealing it and converting cutting the lead to 62-60.

John Ilao then made the heads up play to launch the ball the length of the court to a streaking Tyler Tanaka  as 2010 was continuing to press. Tanaka waltz into the lane and converted the bucket as 2010 turned to Earvin Jose in the closing seconds to try and hoist up a four-point play, but to no avail.

Tanaka and teammate Stanley Wong had 16 points each, Wong doing most of his work in the first half as Tanaka was the closer. Ilao had 15 points for 2012 as well. Ueki finished with a game high 17 points for 2010.

Guahan Soldier Player of the Game Tyler Tanaka – providing clutch buckets for 2012 and finishing with 16 points.

2012 surmounted a lead as large as 18 points in the second half going up 50-32 with less than 12 minutes left after a layup from John Ilao. 2010 didn’t panic and started to chip away at the lead after Chris Ueki hit on back-to-back buckets, along with teammate Earvin Jose, to pull within 51-41.

2010’s Josh Aglubat helped ignite the comeback after rejecting 2012’s Brandon Espiritu twice in a row that got the entire 2010 bench off their seats leading to teammate Harry Cruz getting fouled at the three point line converting all free throws cutting the lead 53-47.

Ueki then went to work converting on a layup followed by a three pointer from the right wing to get within one, 53-52.

2012’s John Ilao spots up for a long three pointer. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

To stop the bleeding, 2012 threw a pass to Tyler Tanaka who converted on an and-one play which gave 2012 a 57-52 lead with less than a minute in the game.

Up 62-54, 2012 nearly gave the game away allowing 2010 to score six straight points

1991/98 – 44, 2007 – 36

It was looking like 1991/98 were going to run away with the game after grabbing a double-digit lead midway through the second half, but Jude Martinez and 2007 fought all the way back and came within a single possession of forcing the game into extra time after 1991/98 missed eight consecutive free throws.

1991/98’s Romeo Sanchez uses the spin move to get free for an easy first half bucket. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Martinez converted on a layup with less than five minutes to go and free throws the next trip down to get within 37-30. 91/98 then tried to work their offensive game inside drawing fouls on just about every attempt, but misses from the line by Romeo Sanchez allowed 2007 to fight their way back.

Guahan Soldier Player of the Game Romeo Sanchez – go to scorer getting 91/98 off to a hot start.

Martinez worked the pick-and-roll game with teammate Vince Laguana as 2007 managed to cut the lead 39-36 as 2007 continued their disruptive defensive flow.

After another missed shot by 91/98, 2007’s Brandon Duenas tried to take matters into his own hands letting loose a three pointer in transition that sailed and never touched the rim giving the ball right back to 91/98 with over 20 seconds left.

Free throws in the closing seconds allowed 91/98 to sit on the close win.

1974 – 70, 1989 – 47

Dr. Andrew Eusebio put on a three-point shooting clinic sinking eight three pointers for 24 points as the veterans from ’74 pulled out a big win over ’89. Lynnwood Baker had 17 points for ’89 in the loss.

1990/93/94 – 48, 1975 – 31

REMAINING SCHEDULE