By Robert Balajadia

The FD Friars hit a scoring funk in the 4th quarter that allowed the ND Royals to get back into the game, but execution by the Friars down the stretch allowed them to pull away from the Royals and their roaring crowd, 67-53 at the ND gym in IIAAG boys basketball Tuesday night action.

Tristan Jose led the Friars balanced scoring attack with 15 points, including a big bucket at the two-minute mark to squash a 7-2 run by the Royals to stretch the lead back up to double digits 57-47.

“We weren’t able to move the ball, but once we started getting more comfortable, like how we played in the 1st quarter, we were doing okay. We just need to realize that when we work as a team then we can accomplish things,” said Jose on the cold 4th quarter start.

The Royals got a big scoring output from Hance Barcinas’ game high 22 points, but the Royals slow offensive start and double-digit halftime lead proved too much to overcome.

Royals Hance Barcinas was the lead man on the night with 22 points. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Barcinas hit a three-pointer from the corner midway through the 4th quarter to get within 51-42, the first time the Royals got the lead back to single digits since midway through the 1st quarter.

“The Royals have heart and they don’t quit, I like that in a team. I have a lot of respect for them ever since they beat us last year, but every team is strong and this season is up in the air so we always have to play our game and not worry about the score,” said Jose on the fighting Royals.

Following Jose’s bucket, the Friars forced the Royals into two straight turnovers that eventually led to an acrobatic finish from Friars Jason Santos to ignite a quarter closing 7-3 run to lock in the win for FD.

The Friars deploy a heavy rotation just about every night, due to having a talented roster, and the Tuesday showdown against ND was no different. With all the shifting head coach Eddie Pelkey does, Jose has found a solid way to lead the team in scoring just about every contest.

Royals Nate Sablan is met in the air by Friars Tristan Jose’s shot contest. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

“[Pelkey] relies on me to be a leader, but not only in scoring, I have to also be a leader on defense. I’m just here to play my game and if he calls me to score then I’ll do it,” said Jose.

FD first captured the double-digit lead in the 1st quarter after forward Geno Aquino converted an and-one play to go up 15-4. The Friars extended their lead 33-18 by half-time and held on to the lead throughout the 3rd quarter, entering the final period 49-35.

Next up for the Friars (3-1) are the unbeaten GW Geckos (3-0) Friday evening at the Gecko’s home. FD and GW never met in the GSPN preseason basketball tournament, which the Geckos ended up winning over the Okkodo Bulldogs, who knocked out the Friars in the semifinals.

ND (0-3) will travel to up north to face the Tiyan Titans (0-2) Friday evening.

Other Scores

St. Paul 62, Okkodo 56
JFK 82, Harvest 52
GW 98, Guam High 86
Sanchez 54, St. John’s 44

PHOTO GALLERY:

Friars Devin Sudo skies in for a layup through ND’s Hance Barcinas. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Friars RJ Rokop knocks down a wide-open three pointer in the first half of action. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

FD Friars Jeff Ochavilo tries to beat the buzzer in the first quarter. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Friars Roy Taimanglo attempts a three pointer early against the ND Royals. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Royals Jason Javelosa fights through contact on the layup. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

ND Royals Richard Balajadia tries to stay inbounds as Friars Roy Taimanglo applies the defense. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)