By Robert Balajadia

After finishing the 2014 season as the top middle school basketball team of the GDOE basketball league, the BMS Roadrunners went a step further winning the GDOE-IIAAG middle school basketball tournament defeating the St. John’s Knights 55-42 at the Tamuning Gym Friday night.

Rolfo Dogillo dominated the game going a perfect 9-9 from the field while grabbing 19 rebounds and scoring 18 points. The Roadrunners dominated the boards all around with teammate Tonny Tonny getting double-digit rebounds as well.

“Defensive wins us games. If we can’t rebound the ball then it’s going to be hard for us to get into transition or get quick shots. We work hard in every practice with boxing out and getting rebounds and my guys really got us a lot of rebounds that helped us win the game tonight,” commented Villa on his teams hustle on the glass.

The Roadrunners and Knights battled for the entire game, but a couple of plays made by Dogillo late in the fourth quarter gave BMS the push they needed to close out St. John’s.

Tournament MVP Ruedel Galang intercepted a pass intended for Knights’ star player and tournament co-MVP Michael Min while finishing the transition bucket while getting fouled to give the Roadrunners the 41-39 lead.

Dogillo then made his presence known felt in the game with less than four minutes to go blocking Knights Gavin Moore’s three point jumper, grabbing the rebound, and laying in a bank shot over Moore on the fast break to go up 45-39.

Dogillo then grabbed his 17th rebound on the following possession, part of a five-offensive rebound play for the Roadrunners, while sending in a floater over the defense to go up 47-39. Dogillo then scored off a put-back while getting fouled completing the and-one play to go up 51-42 with less than a minute left in the game.

Knight’s Min and Moore led the Knights with 14 points each, though Min had a plethora of shots that were a bounce away from going in. Min struggled to find any offensive rhythm as he is accustomed to leaving his stamp on the game either early or in clutch situations.

Knights’ Takumi Simon attempting for three as the Roadrunner defense scramble to defend the long shot. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The Knights grabbed their first lead in the second half off a three point jumper from Takumi Simon, going up 37-34 forcing coach Villa to call a timeout.

“I called the timeout to change the defensive strategy to play man-to-man. It worked, the defense closed out the game and that is what won us the game,” said coach Villa.

The boys responded well and took the lead for good off of Dogillo’s hustle plays.

“This year has been really great. Winning the GDOE league and coming here to win the tournament has made this year really sweet.”

Galang had 14 points for the Roadrunners and had been their most consistent form of offense all tournament long thus getting co-MVP honors.

3rd place Game

FBLG 44, IMS 35

Jason Diaz led the Hawks with 13 points. IMS’s Napu San Luis led the tournament in scoring with a shade over 17 points per game while scoring a game high 15 in the consolation game despite the loss.

PHOTO GALLERY:

After praying, the Roadrunners’ continue to celebrate with their victory chant. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Roadrunners’ Tonny gains the advantage over Knights’ Michael Min to open the game. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Roadrunners’ Tonny dumps the ball to open teammate Rolfo Dogillo for the assist. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Roadrunners’ Ruedel Galang hit the reverse layup and put two on the board. (photo by Jesse Castro)

After waiting for Roadrunners’ Tonny to complete his jump, Knights’ 5 spins around and puts two into the bucket. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Roadrunners’ Fabrick Romos shooting a short jumper and put two on the board. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Roadrunners’ Ruedel Galang took the ball to the hoop and put two points on the board. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Roadrunners’ Tonny gains the advantage over Knights’ Michael Min to open the game. (photo by Jesse Castro)