
By Jay Leon Guerrero
For GSPN
The JFK Islanders took game one of the Islandwide Alumni Basketball tournament after defeating the FD Elite Friars 71-64 in the best-of-three finals series. The Islanders are still undefeated in the league and have yet to taste defeat.
JP Cruz led the offense for JFK scoring 24 points to take game one. “We did good tonight at hitting shots, they were playing good defense but we had good ball movement to find the open player,” said Cruz.
The game was tied 30-30 at halftime in a seesaw battle. Will Stinnett managed to score from offensive rebounds to give FD a slight advantage to start the second half but the Islanders went on an 8-0 to capture momentum.
JFK’s Billy Belger converted a lay-in after a steal from Jin Han to start the run. Merwin Martin followed up with a transition 3-pointer to cap the run to take a 40-35 advantage.
Fd answers with a short run of their Vince Estella making a short jumper and Tony Paulino draining a 3-pointer to retake the lead 45-43.
Dom Sablan dribbles around the Islander defenders to add to FD lead but the Islanders counter with Belger and Martin making back-to-back three-pointers to go up 50-48 with eight minutes left in regulation.
Martin hits an open three-pointer with three minutes left in regulation to go up 65-62 with less than two minutes remaining to give the Islanders the lead.
After a costly FD Elite turnover, Cruz runs the wing and nails a dagger 3-pointer with 70 seconds to put JFK up 68-62. FD struggles to find an open shot and was forced to foul with time winding down.
Belger secured the victory with 30 seconds left at the free throw line to give the Islanders the 71-64 victory.
Belger had 14 points for JFK, Martin was instrumental in the victory scoring all of his 11 points in the second half. Jeff Serrano had nine points and a game high 12 rebounds for the Islanders.
Stinnett had a game high 26 points and eight rebounds for FD Elite, Estella had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
JFK can end their season undefeated and clinch the championship trophy in game two this Saturday at 8pm at the Elite Center. FD will look hand JFK their first loss of the season and force a game three with a victory.
“We are going to continue playing JFK basketball and take it one game at a time. (FD Elite) has a lot of firepower on their side and despite only having six players on their team they are still a team be reckoned with,” said Cruz.
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GPS Sports Calendar
March 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
28th
Events for March
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
Events for March
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
4th
35th RAINBOWS FOR ALL CHILDREN 3.5 MILER
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
Events for March
5th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 3
Events for March
5th
Events for March
6th
Events for March
7th
Events for March
9th
Events for March
11th
GSPN PRESEASON BOYS VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT DAY 1
Bank of Guam Block Party 5K
Events for March
12th
Events for March
13th
Events for March
14th
Events for March
15th
Events for March
17th
World Athletics Indoor Championships
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
18th
PAY-LESS KICK THE FAT 5K/10K
World Athletics Indoor Championships
Events for March
19th
Events for March
21st
Events for March
25th
MARIANAS OPEN PRO JAPAN TOURNAMENT
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
26th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 4
Events for March
28th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
30th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
31st
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Volleyball
EAGLES HOLD OFF WARRIORS IN 5 SETS

Jiu-Jitsu
MARIANAS OPEN TO TAKE OVER TOKYO

Volleyball
EAGLES HOLD OFF WARRIORS IN 5 SETS

Jiu-Jitsu
MARIANAS OPEN TO TAKE OVER TOKYO
COMING SOON …
- 4th Quarter Sports
QUICK HITS
Guam MTB National Championship: Edward Oingerang and Jennifer Camacho are your 2023 MTB national champions. Oingerang finished the course in 1:13:24 while Camacho won her second straight title in 54:08.
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Kobe Miyashita, with St. John’s coach Arvin Flores, was named the 2023 IIAAG Middle School Boys Volleyball MVP!