By Robert Balajadia

William Stinnett had a monstrous night scoring 38 points, while getting a late heroic performance from Chris Santos and Napoleon Finch, to give the host class of the FD Alumni Tournament a big 71-64 win over the Class of 2010 during Monday night action.

Trailing for the entire second half, Santos scored five straight points off a layup and three pointer off the glass to cut the once double-digit 2010 lead to just 43-42. It wasn’t until Finch lined up a deep three pointer to break a tie giving ’04 their first lead in the second half 48-45.

A short run by 2010 capped off by a nifty move from center Ashton Wong gave them back the lead 49-48 before Stinnett hit a three-pointer followed by free throws to extend the lead to 58-53.

2004’s Chris Santos makes a layup over 2010’s Ashton Wong and Chris Ueki.

2010 responded with a wide-open three from Kent Silva to move within a single possession, but Santos answered right back with a high arcing three-pointer over Wong’s contest to go up 61-56. 2010’s Earvin Jose delivered another answer as his three pointer from the right wing made it again a two point game. Santos and Stinnett scored big buckets in the final two minutes of the game with Finch garnering some laughs as he tricked Wong into passing him the ball as 2010 was trying to comeback.

Wong had the ball at the top of the key leading a fast break trailing 70-64, but the defense from ’04 forced Wong to pick up his dribble. Finch took full advantage of the opportunity calling out “Ashton” , as if he were his teammate on an outlet, and Wong dished the ball off to Finch before realizing who he was. Finch managed to allow precious seconds to tick away which eventually did 2010 in.

2004’s Ricky Hernandez shoots a tightly contested three pointer.

Stinnett did most of his damage in the second half where he scored 23 of his 38 points. Santos had 14 points for ’04. Wong led 2010 with 17 points while Chris Ueki had 15 with Jose rounding out the leading scorers with 11.

Other Games

2012 – 59, 2008 – 32

A huge second half by 2012’s Stanley Wong gave 2012 the edge over 2008 after trailing 15-12 in the first half. Wong finished with 22 points while hitting six three pointers in the game.

430 – 50, 1995 – 42

The combined class of 1990/93/94 were able to hold off a late surge from 1995 to capture the Monday night victory.

1995’s Jay Leon Guerrero tries to bring his team back in the closing minutes against 430.