
By Robert Balajadia
After going undefeated all season, the FD Friars boys junior varsity basketball team had one final chance to cement their memorable 2015 run in the JV Boys Basketball post-season. The Friars were faced with their toughest challenge in the semifinals, needing an overtime to get the win over a scrappy JFK Islanders squad.
FD got back on track in the finals on Saturday after blowing by the Okkodo Bulldogs 57-35 after a very slow start. Leading the way for the Friars was Tomas Calvo with 18 points and forward De’Aundre Cruz with 17.
The Friars went down 9-0 in the first three minutes of the game, but instead of calling a timeout, Friars head coach Jimmy Yi let the boys figure it out.
“They’ve been practicing more than enough to know what they need to do and the player-coach trust is there. They just did what they had to do,” said Yi on the slow start.
Calvo gave FD their first lead to begin the second quarter by hitting a layup in the lane to go up 14-13, and from then on the Friars never looked back. Forward Leon Shimizu hit a bucket in the lane and a three-pointer from Rudy Gaza to go up 19-13.
The Friars used a 20-2 second quarter run to blow open the game 30-15 heading into the half.
“We just didn’t want to lose. A few of our guys just kept making shots and that seemed to spark us on offense. We used that spark and kept going, even after we had the lead, we just kept going,” said Shimizu on the in-game turnaround.
Calvo scored on back-to-back fast break buckets to open the 3rd period with FD winning the quarter 15-9, leading the game 47-24. Both teams emptied their bench in the 4th period with FD way in front.
The Friars hadn’t practiced all week leading to the semifinals with exams taking up most of the boys schedule. The semifinals game against the Islanders was a wakeup call for FD, and they mad sure to get in right state of mind for the Bulldogs.
“We felt like we weren’t ready yesterday, and it just proved to us that we needed to work harder. Yesterday’s game was sort of a ‘welcome back game’ and today was when we regroup and played as a team,” said Shimizu.
“Yesterday’s game was awesome, these kids deserve it, they pulled it off. Hats off to JFK and Okkodo, they are both good teams and are well coached,” said Yi.
The Friars and coach Yi have set a milestone for the school after winning the first ever JV post-season tournament, and this first one will always be special.
“It’s amazing, I’m glad they’re doing something for the younger JV squads and I just hope that more teams will be able to participate next year. All the thanks goes out to the sponsors (IP&E Shell), staff, supporters, and of course the family and friends.”
PHOTO GALLERY:


GPS Sports Calendar
July 2025
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- FR
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Events for June
1st
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
2nd
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
3rd
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
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4th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
5th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
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6th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
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7th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
8th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
9th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
10th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Events for July
18th
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Events for July
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Events for July
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25th
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Events for July
26th
Events for July
27th
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28th
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29th
Events for July
30th

Pacific Mini Games
RECAP OF XII PACIFIC MINI GAMES

Wrestling
SUSAKI SHARES OLYMPIC GOLD KNOWLEDGE

Pacific Mini Games
PACIFIC MINI GAMES COMES TO A CLOSE

Pacific Mini Games
KENT WINS 2ND GOLD OF MINI GAMES

Pacific Mini Games
SOFTBALL COMES UP BIG OVER PALAU 11-4

Pacific Mini Games
BADEN WINS GOLD #3 FOR GUAM IN 5K

Weightlifting
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST TO SHARE WRESTLING KNOWLEDGE

Wrestling
SUSAKI SHARES OLYMPIC GOLD KNOWLEDGE

Pacific Mini Games
RECAP OF XII PACIFIC MINI GAMES
COMING SOON …
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament Playoffs