GYBA: IRONWOOD BEATS REBELS

By Kolby Chang

Ironwood picked up their first win of the season after surviving a furious late game rally by the Malesso Rebels to win 41-39 in the Guam Youth Basketball Association under-18 division on Wednesday night at the Guam Sports Complex. Ironwood improved their record to 1-2, while the Rebels dropped to 1-1.

Ironwood appeared to be in control of the game as they were up 21-16 midway through the third quarter after Nate Lorenzo followed up his own missed free throw. Martin Nethan took it coast-to-coast a couple of plays later to give Ironwood the 23-18 lead. The Rebel’s Diallo Cruz responded with a big-time three pointer from the corner to cut the lead down to two points.

With time winding down, Ironwood’s Mark Ruppen posted up in the low block and dropped a dime to a cutting Nethan who buried the layup to extend Ironwood’s lead to four points. A put back from Logan Titus made the score 27-21 going into the final quarter.

Malesso Rebels De’Andre Cruz dribbles the ball down court. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Keanu Kanemoto’s jumper in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter gave Ironwood an 11-point lead but the Rebels did not go away quietly. Celvin Lujan knocked down a triple from the corner to make it 32-24 but Ironwood’s Eric Mickey responded with a three pointer of his own. Lujan answered again with a short jumper in the paint to keep the Rebels within striking distance.

Mickey then received an outlet pass around half-court and took it all the way to the hoop for the layup. Lujan immediately hit a runner in the lane and the Rebels continued to keep the pressure on Ironwood by aggressively looking to score. Mike Borja converted both of his free throws after getting fouled and Cruz followed that up by draining a three pointer from the top of the key to make the score 39-35.

Following a timeout, Nethan hit a layup to put Ironwood up 41-37. The Rebels got the ball across half-court but Cruz was fouled with one second left on the clock. He calmly buried both of his free throws but the Rebels were unsuccessful in getting the ball out of Ironwood’s hand during the inbounds play and time expired.

The game got off to a slow start but both teams started clicking in the second quarter. It was the Rebels that were leading early but Ironwood kept chipping away as Lorenzo drove baseline and sunk the layup to cut the lead to one point.
The Rebels’ Ryan Teologo missed a layup but Christian Corpuz got the put back to make 12-11. Several plays later, a put back from Nethan tied it at 13 apiece going into the half.

Mickey and Nethan led Ironwood with 11 points and 10 points, respectively. Cruz had a game-high 15 points for the Rebels.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Ironwood Sidney Arulong makes the layup to put them up by two points with seconds left in the game. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Ryan Teologo goes up for the rebound and makes the basket. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Malesso Rebels Calvin Lujan drills the three pointer. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Ryan Teologo was able to intercept a pass form midcourt and take it back their way. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Ironwood Martin Nethan draws the foul and makes the basket to go to the line for a three point play. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Malesso Rebels Ryan Teologo drives the ball to the hoop and makes the shot over a defender. (Photo by Joey Blas)