
By Robert Balajadia
The FD Friars overcome early adversity, picking up a key win over the visiting JFK Islanders 53-52 in an interleague matchup in the ISA/IIAA Basketball League, the lone basketball game of the evening. The Friars and Islanders varsity game had gotten rescheduled twice already with the teams finally able to meet Friday.
FD’s Kaine Santos scored 22 points to lead his team and guard Jaden Santos added a big 20 points to keep the Friars in the game. Trailing 27-19 at the half, FD got a big 3rd from Kaine were he scored 12 of his 22 points to get FD within 38-36 by the end of the quarter.
“It was the energy that we brought in the 2nd quarter,” said Kaine on what he felt was the turning point of the game. “Our defense was what turned it around mostly.”
FD took their first lead in the 4th off a Jaden Santos put-back 42-40, setting up a nail-biting sequence late in the game.
In the final minute, FD attempted to shave time off the clock, but a steal from JFK’s Hendrix De Fiesta turned into a lead-changing fast break. De Fiesta attempted to hit teammate Karl Vinca on the wing, but a deflected pass found its way to Mark Morales for a layup to put JFK ahead 52-51.
The Friars turned to Kaine on the ensuing play as he got fouled on a drive to the rim. With 12.3 seconds to play, Santos stepped to the line and converted both free throws to give his team the 53-52 lead.
“I was really nervous honestly. I wasn’t too sure I was going to make it,” admitted Santos on his late-game free throws.
With eight seconds left, the Islanders turned to De Fiesta as he drove baseline for a highly contested layup as the ball hit the backboard and rolled around the rim before rolling out as Kaine corralled the rebound. Santos went full sprint with the ball to avoid the Islander defenders from fouling him as time expired.
“We told each other not to foul and if it’s going to be a shot then let’s force a bad one,” said Kaine on the defensive strategy in the final seconds.
JFK was without versatile big-man Kirston Santos, who was out nursing an injury. The Islanders were led by Karl Vinca’s 21 points with De Fiesta and Terreil Zapanta adding nine points each.
FD won’t see action until Monday next week as they host the Guam High Panthers, but JFK gets ready for a quick turn as they play the Southern Dolphins Saturday afternoon.


GPS Sports Calendar
January 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Events for December
31st
Events for January
1st
Events for January
2nd
Events for January
3rd
Events for January
4th
Events for January
5th
Events for January
6th
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
Events for January
7th
Events for January
8th
Events for January
9th
Events for January
10th
Events for January
11th
Events for January
12th
Events for January
14th
Events for January
15th
Events for January
16th
Events for January
17th
Events for January
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
21st
LIFT HEAVY + LIFT FAST – BFF SERIES
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for January
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for January
24th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for January
25th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for January
26th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for January
27th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
GLORIFIED SPARRING X
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
28th
5K DASH FOR ASH
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for January
29th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 1
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
30th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for January
31st
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL

Running/Track
’23 TRACK SEASON OPENS

Volleyball
H.S. BEACH VOLLEYBALL IN FULL SWING

Basketball
TAKUMI SIMON MAKING THE BEST OF PRO LIFE

MMA/Boxing
GLORIFIED SPARRING 10 SET FOR FRIDAY NIGHT

Basketball
WARRIORS COMPLETE TRIPLE CROWN

Baseball
TRITONS OPEN INVITATIONAL WITH WIN

Basketball
TAKUMI SIMON MAKING THE BEST OF PRO LIFE

Running/Track
’23 TRACK SEASON OPENS
COMING SOON …
- 3rd Quarter Sports