SHIMIZU ADDS INSTANT LORE TO FD ALUMNI TRADITION

By Daniel Akimoto

Add Leon Shimizu to the legends list of the heralded FD Alumni Basketball Tournament.

In yet another packed house in The Jungle to cap off the 2024 edition of the summer basketball fest, the Class of 2017’s Shimizu hit a mid-range jumper that bounced off the rim four times as time expired, handing the combined Class of 16/17 their first title ever 58-56 over the defending champion Class of 2013 Friday night.

RJ Rokop led 16/17 with 15 points, including four 3-pointers, but it was Shimizu’s heroics that brought the house down at the end. Shimizu finished with 10 points while Devin Sudo (11 pts) and Frankie Tenorio (10 pts) added to the win, offsetting ’13s dynamic duo of Mike Sakazaki (21 pts) and John Baza (19 pts).

FIRST HALF

16/17 set the tone early as they opened the game with a 7-0 run. However, the defending champs answered back as Baza hit three 3’s in a row to get his team back in the game.

It was a back and forth battle between the two teams as 16/17 led at the half. However, 2013 dominated the boards with 14 rebounds at the break. 16/17 shot 37% from the field with Rokop leading them with 10 points shooting 3/6 from 3-point range.

Baza led 2013 with 13 points, shooting 3/5 from the arc.

David Sakazaki hit two mid-range jumpers over his brother Mike. Mike grabbed seven of his team’s 14 boards.

The half ended with a controversial buzzer beater by Mike Sakazaki getting his team to only trail 30-26.

SECOND HALF

Both teams continued to throw punches as the game moved along, but when 16/17 struggled to put the ball in the basket, 2013 went on a 9-0 run to get the lead down to five as they were only down 45-40.

This prompted a timeout from 16/17 as they gathered themselves. A trey from Sudo and two beautiful layups by Rokop and Frankie Tenorio put them up 54-46.

Benches Cleared
As Mike Sakazaki attempted a putback, Cole Merfalen committed a foul which ’13 didn’t seem to take lightly as benches were cleared to separate the teams from escalating the situation any further.

But what happened on the court, stayed on the court. Both teams shook hands and the game was back on.

Taking Advantage
16/17 still rattled after giving the ball up twice. This, as well as a combination of free throws and another key 3-pointer from 2013’s Jordan Guevara, put them down one with 2013 leading 55-54.

Final Moments
Off an inbounds play, Rokop a dump pass to Bryton Cepeda who made the shot putting them up 56-55.

After being fouled, Mike Sakazaki stepped up to the line to shoot his free throws. It must have been the pressure, the crowd, or the exhaustion, but his first free throw went long, hitting the back of the rim. Taking a breath as well as his time, he sank the second one tying the game 56-56.

16/17 called a timeout with 13 seconds to advance the ball up to half court. The crowd fell silent in anticipation as the ball was inbounded, but once it touched the court, supporters of each team filled the Jungle with chants, cheers, and a couple of boos.

Isaiah Sablan held the ball at the top of the key, scanning the court and reading the clock. When he knew it was time, he set the play into motion. He drove left off a high screen, which prompted the defense to send two defenders to help. However, this is exactly what he wanted as he kicked the ball out to the hands of Shimizu.

Shimizu went up for the shot as the buzzer sounded. Time seemed to stop as everyone waited for the ball to decide the game. As it bounced into the net, the Class of 16/17 realized that they had broken their curse and were now crowned champions.

Class of 2016/2017
RJ Rokop – 15 pts, 4/7 3pt, 1/2 FT, 2 ast, 1 reb
Leon Shimizu (Player of the Game)- 10 pts, 2/2 FT, 7 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl
Devin Sudo – 11pts, 1/3 3pt, 2 ast, 1 stl
Frankie Tenorio – 10 pts, 4/9 FG, 2/3 FT, 4 reb, 2 ast
Cole Merfalen – 2 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk
Isaiah Sablan – 5 ast, 1 reb, 1 stl
David Sakazaki – 4 pts
Brandon Eusebio – 2 pts, 1 ast
Bryton Cepeda – 2 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast

Class of 2013
Michael Sakazaki – 21 pts, 5/7 FT, 9 reb, 3 ast, 2 blk, 2 stl
John Baza – 19 pts, 2/2 FT, 2 ast, 2 reb, 1 stl
Jordan Guevara – 5 pts, 4 ast, 3 reb, 3 stl
Ray Quintanilla – 8 pts, 2/3FT, 4 reb
Allan Santos – 4 pts, 1 reb, 1 stl
Nate San Nicolas – 4 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO BY: