FRIARS STORM BACK FROM BIG DEFICIT TO OPEN SEASON

By Jay Leon Guerrero

The Father Duenas Friars overcame an 11-point deficit in the third quarter to come back and defeat the JFK Islanders 60-48 Friday night at JFK in their 2025 ISA/IIAAG Boys Basketball League opener.

Noah Tenorio, celebrating his 18th birthday, had the hot hand for the Friars with 14 points and three steals. 

The Friars win their season opener after winning the Kanto Classic tournament in Japan last weekend. The Islanders drop to 1-1 for the season. FD, the clear league favorites with a super talented roster, passed a big test from JFK, the team most feel poses the biggest threat this season.

“It was a good win for us tonight. It shows we can overcome adversity,” said Tenorio. “Everyone stepped up tonight as a team by playing together: we trusted God and each other. In the end, it all paid off.”

JFK came out aggressive and had a good game plan against FD’s high-powered offense.

The Islanders went ahead 15-7 in the second quarter with Darwin Ecijan and Nheejo Navarro hitting three-pointers to establish the early lead.

JFK took its largest lead in the third quarter with twins Jordan and Josiah Madrazo leading the offense. Jordan drained a three-pointer, and Josiah made an acrobatic lay-up to go up 31-20.

The Friars answered with a 10-0 run led by  Noah Cruz and Troy Dirige to cut the lead to 31-30. Both teams found their rhythm offensively to end the third quarter tied at 40-40.

“We were down going into the second half. Our coaches just reminded us to rely on our preparation for this game,” said Dirige.

FD sophomore Jarrett Ko was a sparkplug off the bench, helping the Friars start the final period with a 6-0 run. Ko made a pair of transition buckets to start of the period. Fellow sophomore sensation Tristan Hahn also made a basket in the paint to put FD up for good. Ko later drained a three-pointer to put FD up by double digits later in the fourth quarter.

“Our bench is deep. They really did a good job and stepped up big for us tonight,” added Dirige.

The Friars relied on Tenorio as a closer, and he hit all his free throws down the stretch to escape with the 60-48 victory.

Josiah Madrazo led JFK with 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Jordan Madrazo had 12 points and six rebounds. Ecijan had nine points for the Islanders.

Ko had 13 points for FD, hitting all his six of his shot attempts. Dirige had 10 points, and Cruz chipped in seven points. Hahn had eight points and a game-high nine rebounds for the 1-0 Friars.

In the JV game, the Islanders took advantage early and held on for the 45-36 victory. Keanu Dailey led the Islanders with 17 points. 

OTHER GAMES

GW 64, Notre Dame 56

Okkodo 42, St. John’s 33

St. Paul 70, Tiyan 40

Sanchez 85, CTECH 15

Southern 75, Guam High 50