
By Robert Balajadia
It was a great Saturday to be a Saint.
The Cinnabon Island Saints were the biggest winners during Saturday’s opening round of the GNYFF playoffs as the Manha, Metgot, and Matua division won big to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
The second seeded Manha division Saints grabbed a big 32-6 win over the Falcons in the early mornings while their third placed Metgot division shutdown the sixth seeded Giants 24-0.
The top seeded Matua division Saints were tested early in the game against the eighth seeded Jets, but a big showing from Bernard Mendiola was the difference as Mendiola racked up two first half touchdowns.
Leading 6-0, Mendiola took full advantage of a punt after Saints defensive lineman Lawrence Breton sacked the Jets quarterback for a big loss. The punt fell right to Mendiola near his own 40-yard line, where he sprinted up the left side of the field right through the Jets punt coverage team to tally the score 12-0 in the second quarter.
After another impressive defensive stop, Saints Christian Duenas took a counter to the right side of the field where he would go untouched for 45 yards for another score to go up 18-0. The Saints tacked on a final touchdown in the second half to push them to the semifinals next weekend.

Bernard Mendiola of the Saints fiercely moves around Jets to find his way to the goal line for the first touchdown of the game, putting the Saints up 6-0 in the first minutes of their showdown against the Jets. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)
Complete Opening Round Scores
Manha:
Saints 32, Falcons 6
Raiders 27, Jets 6
Metgot:
Cowboys 53, Falcons 0
Saints 24, Giants 0
Matua:
Saints 24, Jets 0
Raiders def. Falcons via Forfiet
Sunday’s Playoff Schedule
Manha @ 10:30 am
Angels vs. Eagles (@ Eagle Field)
Giants vs. Cowboys (@UOG Field)
Metgot @ 12:30 pm
Angels vs. Eagles (@Eagle Field)
Raiders vs. Jets (@UOG Field)
Matua @ 2:30 pm
Angels vs. Eagles (@Eagle Field)
Giants vs. Cowboys (@UOG Field)
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Christian Duenas of the Saints comes through the Jets defense with ease after a punt return which would result in a touchdown. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Edward Sandlin gets held back from gaining yards in the second half of the GNYFF playoff game held at Eagle Field. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)


GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for November
1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
ISA BOYS SOCCER
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for December
5th
Events for December
7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Events for December
9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
Events for December
11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for December
12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
Events for December
18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
Events for December
19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
19th
Events for December
23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
Events for December
23rd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
27th
Events for December
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for December
30th

Basketball
FAMILIAR FOES TO MEET FOR HOOPS CROWN

Basketball
ISLANDERS AVENGE EARLY SEASON LOSS
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs
- True Grit Rugby Tournament
- IIAAG Boys Soccer Playoffs