2013 WINS FIRST EVER FD ALUMNI TOURNEY

By Jay Leon Guerrero

All smiles as the Class of 2013 hold up their trophy. (photo by Dan Paran)

The 30th annual Father Duenas Alumni Basketball has come to a close and a packed FD gym known as the “jungle” witnessed a competitive game featuring the defending champion class of 2004 take on the talented class of 2013.

The class of 2004 came into the game looking to start a dynasty run to put their team with the other elite teams with multiple championships while the Class of 2013 simply wanted the respect from their fellow brothers.

At the end of the game, the younger class accomplished their mission thanks to a second half run for the 60-48 victory.

Two of Guam’s National players went head-to-head and guarded each other with 2004’s Willie Stinnett going against fellow national team member Michael Sakazaki from the 2013 squad. But it was 2013’s John Baza who stole the spotlight as the younger class hoisted the championship trophy at the end of the game. Will this championship possibly be the first of many? Only time will tell.

Baza went 4-of-7 from 3-point land to lead all scorers with 23 points. After 2004 opened up the contest with a huge lead, Baza was instrumental in the first half to bring his class back into the game. Baza came up big again late in the second half after he sank a clutch three-pointer and followed up with a fast break lay-in to open up a 58-43 lead, their largest lead of the game to secure the title.

Hernandez scores early

2004’s Ricky Hernandez started out the game on fire making three shots from beyond the arc for 10 quick points, including an ‘and 1’ 3-pointer to stun the younger class with a quick 12-2 lead. With 2013’s defenders keying in on Matt Leon Guerrero and Stinnett, Hernandez hit his open shots from beyond the arc for the early momentum.

The class of 2013 slowly chipped away at their early deficit, with Jordan Guevara hitting from beyond the arc and Jon Onedera making a transition lay-in to cut the lead to six points.

Baza was feeling it from downtown, hitting his shots from NBA three-point range to get the 2013 bench pumped up, taking their first lead of the game going up 23-20.

Stinnett tied the contest, making all 6 free throw attempts for the deadlocked 25-25 score with a minute left before halftime. With Sakazaki struggling to get an open look, Baza put his team in the lead with an aggressive drive for the 28-27 advantage at halftime.

Stinnett leads 2004 in second half

Stinnett was in attack mode to start the second half, as his class went up 34-33 after he converted on an ‘and-1’ lay-in with 14 minutes left in regulation. But that was the last lead the class of 2004 would hold.

Allan Santos made a three-pointer for 2013 and Sakazaki found his groove offensively during a 10-1 run for the 43-34 lead. Anthony Olchondra and Onedera followed with field goals in the paint for 2013 as 2004 simply was unable to hit shots down the stretch.

2013’s Michael Sakazaki tries to force his way through 2004’s Dave Tuncap. (photo by Dan Paran)

Baza ballooned the lead with under 4 minutes remaining with his clutch three and lay-in to close out the contest for the 60-48 victory.

“They made a run and we made a couple of turnovers. It’s hard to recover after they built that lead,” said Stinnett.

Stinnett had 19 points and 5 rebounds, Hernandez made 4-7 field goals from long distanc for 18 points. Leon Guerrero had 7 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals.

“My hat goes off to Ricky, Matt and Will, they gave us a huge challenge and fought till the end,” said Sakazaki. Sakazaki had 11 points, 8 boards, 5 assists and 4 steals for the game.

“Next year is going to be a challenge with the next host, the class if 2006, coming strong and teams like 2004, 2010 and 2012 coming strong also. It was a great tournament and a big shout out to the class of 2005 for a job well done in hosting and also to the new class of 2015 for all their hard work to make this tournament a success,” said Sakazaki.

“2004 came out strong in those first few minutes, they really set the tone for the game so that gave us an idea of what we needed to adjust too. We did a really good job at making those adjustments,” said Baza.

Just two years out of high school, the young class acknowledges the tradition involved in the tournament and other teams will look forward to challenging them next year. Defending their title will be a hard task, but they got their class inked in as champions.

“We still have a couple of years to earn the other classes’ full respect but tonight was a huge step for us” said Baza. Santos, Olchondra, and Onedera each scored 8, 7, and 6 points, respectively for 2013.

Dedication

Prior to the championship game, the class of 2004 held a moment of silence for their classmate Jay Andrew Cruz who had lost his battle to cancer earlier in the week. The class of 2004 present the Cruz family with a banner which was available in the evening for the alumni to sign.

In the milestone games played earlier in the evening, the class of ’65 defeated the class of ’75 by a score of 44-43. Danny Anderson hit a mid-range jumper for ’65 with seconds left in regulation to help his team clinch the victory. Anderson had 11 points for ’65, Peter Roy Martinez scored 7. Francis Santos from ’75 led all scorers with 12 points.

The ‘Cream Team’ class of 85 held on to defeat the class of ’89 for the 46-39 victory. Dave Quichocho had 20 points for the ‘Cream Team’ to lead all scorers. Lynnwood Baker had 16 points for 89.

2013’s John Baza pulls up in the land for a running jumper. (photo by Dan Paran)

Here are the list of previous champions:

1985- 74
1986- 74
1987- 80 (May tourney)
1987- 82 (Summer tourney)
1987- 79 (Thanksgiving tourney)
1988- 82
1989- 80
1990- NA
1991- 91
1992- 82
1993- 91
1994- 82
1995- 82
1996- 82
1997- 91
1998- 82
1999- 95/96
2000- 96
2001- 91
2002- 96
2003- 96
2004- 95
2005- 91
2006- 2002/2003
2007- 2006
2008- 95
2009- 2002
2010- 2006
2011- 2006
2012- 2006
2013- 2006
2014- 2004
2015- 2013

PHOTO GALLERY:

FD Alumni gather before the game to pay tribute to their friend, Jay “Juice” Cruz. (photo by Dan Paran)

Down in points and with little time left, the defending champs call for a time out to plan for a comeback. (photo by Dan Paran)

(photo by Dan Paran)

(photo by Dan Paran)

FD principal, Fr. Jeffrey San Nicolas, tosses up a pre-game tip-off. (photo by Dan Paran)