SUMMER OF SIXTEEN TOURNEY TIPS OFF FRIDAY

Get ready for The Summer of Sixteen! The boys of Duenas are at it again with the 43rd rendition of the FDMSSA Alumni Basketball Tournament, hosted by the class of 2016. This year’s tourney lines up to be one of the best, with big names returning and new guns having gained some experience. GSPN takes a closer look at this year’s contenders, Cinderellas and teams that may have a shot if all the luck goes their way.

THE CONTENDERS

2013

The two-time champs are ready for another deep run. John Baza and Mike Sakazaki continue to anchor this group, with the steady Jordan Guevara controlling the tempo. Baza is money as cash gets, hitting big shots when they matter most. Sakazaki will come in fresh off representing Guam in the FIBA qualifiers, and brings size, rebounding and an inside-outside scoring punch that will be difficult for teams to match.

Guevara’s crafty handle, timely scoring and defensive prowess give ’13 the big three needed to compete in this tournament. But the big plus is the return of uber-athletic Jon Onedera. He has missed the past three tourneys and comes back eager and ready to compete. Onedera’s leaping, ball handling and quickness make him a problem on the offensive end, while also helping Sakazaki on the boards.

Allan Santos continues to provide that deep scoring threat while adding a big body in the paint to clog up the middle, and the timely scoring of Jose Terlaje is always a welcome sight. Nate San Nicolas is their well-conditioned machine ready to do all the dirty work to help his class succeed.

This team has all it needs to compete once again on Championship Night!

2016

Although they lost ‘17’s Leon Shimizu in free agency, this year’s host class comes back loaded as ever.

Bryton Cepeda, Zay Sablan, Frankie Tenorio and Devin Sudo continue to lead the deepest backcourt in the tournament. Sablan and Tenorio are as a good a deep threat as they come, ready to destroy opposing defenses from the perimeter. Sudo and Cepeda are gritty ball handlers, not afraid to throw their body around on both ends of the floor.

Brandon Eusebio and Cole Merfalen will continue to hold the middle, while the addition of Michael Murphy adds size and scoring to an already talented front court, that also includes David Sakazaki.

But the biggest addition to ’16 is the return of beloved point guard Josh Paulino. Paulino has never played in a tournament since graduation and will be making his highly anticipated debut! One of the biggest knocks on ’16 has been their ability to hold leads and close out games, an area where Paulino will surely prove valuable. His ball handling, calm demeaner and passing ability brings a new dimension to an already dangerous team ready to do something only four other classes have ever done: win in your host year!

02/04

We say it every year and they defy the odds every year; they’re too old. The defending champs return to make a run at yet another championship. Basketball royalty continues to lead the charge, with ‘02’s Vince Estella and ‘04’s Will Stinnett II as healthy as they have been.

Their combined basketball IQ and size are huge mountains for opposing teams to climb. All everything Shaun Perez is ready to destroy opposing defenses from anywhere on the court with his ability to score, literally, from anywhere! Matt Leon Guerrero and Napolean Finch will continue to run the old man show while Ricky Hernandez provides an additional scoring punch from deep.

Don Manglona and Alvin Sanga provide some depth in the paint to give Stinnett and Estella much needed breathers, and Dave Tuncap is an excellent defender when he shows up.

It’s hard to figure out the riddle that is this team’s IQ, so if they’re able to stay healthy and fresh come playoffs, expect this team to make another deep run into the championship.

(Editor’s Note: Perez’s scoring prowess is so well documented that one game, a defender followed him outside the court, to the cooler while he was getting a beer!)

2025

Last year’s graduates got their first taste of alumni basketball, and they come back as hungry as ever.

Noah Tenorio and Noah Cruz return to lead this decorated group, having a year of collegiate basketball under their belts. Tenorio’s ability to score at all three levels combined with a great handle and foot work makes him probably the most difficult matchup in the tournament, behind ‘02’s Perez. His strength makes him an effective rebounder and defender as well.

Cruz’s handles are second to none and combined with his size, he has the vision to see the court and dictate the pace. His precision deep ball and crafty handle make him one of the most dynamic offensive players in the tournament. Throw in the super athletic David del Carmen’s ability to leap and defend, and this team has the three headed monster ready to win in any form.

DJ Alcantara adds more scoring punch to an already formidable group while the third Noah, TO, is another deep ball threat, rebounder and defender ready to do all the little things for this team to succeed. Kyan Toh rounds out this group and adds another perimeter defender and scorer.

Losing to last year’s champs in 02/04 has definitely taught this young group a very valuable lesson: on any given night, regardless of talent, anyone can be beat. Can this young core bounce back and translate their high school success to an alumni banner? Time will tell!

THE CINDERALLAS

2006

After missing last year’s tournament due to injury and travel, the 8-time champs are ready to make another run in their Year 20.

Mike Sgro and Julius Yu come back fully healthy and ready to lead this group. Sgro sets the tone for his group with unmatched grit and toughness to go along with a smooth stroke and timely scoring. Yu is a deadly deep threat that is not afraid to put the ball on the floor to get easy baskets and get to the free throw line. He’s a bucket when 06 needs it.

Big Rob Leon Guerrero will continue to anchor the middle and is the perfect complement to Sgro and Yu, either setting them up for open looks with precise screens, or providing an inside scoring punch when defenses pay too much attention to the perimeter. Brian Aflague will continue to control the 8-time champion machine, dictating pace and defenses, while also choosing his scoring opportunities. Vinson Calvo, Gus Untalan and TJ Balajadia are valuable role players ready to add an already deep lineup.

Like 02/04, age is not on their side, but this team did not win eight championships because of luck. Health and recovery will be key to a deep playoff run, but if it’s one thing you can’t do, is count the boys of 06 out, especially during a milestone year.

2023

The boys of ’23 are as complete as they have been the past few years. Blaise Ada’s returns after sitting out last year and will be fresh of a run with the national team. Ada’s handle, quick release and innovative scoring ability make him one of the most prolific offensive threats in the tourney.

Yoshi Sayama is as good as they come at the point guard position with his ability to handle, create scoring opportunities for others while also scoring himself at all three levels. He and Ada are arguably the best backcourt in the tournament and will be ultra exciting to watch.

Aaron Arceo provides some depth in the backcourt with his defense and fearless attack on the rim, while Franklin Ninete, Alucious Medler and Caleb Murphy are big bodies not afraid to throw down with the best of them. Ada will miss the first few games, but upon his return, this team will light up the scoreboard really quick. Don’t be surprised to see this group in the mix as the playoffs roll on.

12 Pack

Every year, we expect this team to compete. Every year, they fail. But this year feels different, after winning the Leon Shimizu free agent sweepstakes! Shimizu and John Ilao instantly make a formidable one-two punch that put the 12 Pack right back into contention. Ilao is one of the best rim attackers in the tourney and is an underrated rebounder and defender.

Shimizu will provide much needed mid-level scoring to take the load off Ilao, while also creating second chance points, an area 12 has faltered year after year. Shimizu’s addition will allow Jerick Cruz and Christian Paulino to play more comfortably around the perimeter, while Glen Gogue provides a much-needed deep threat from three. But can they overcome the loss of Cam Eusebio and Harrison Park who are both unavailable for the tournament? That is the big question that will be answered.

IF EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT

2020

Chris Leon Guerrero is a deep ball threat, and Matt Fegurgur is still 6’9” and coming off the FIBA qualifiers. Elijah Dudkiewiecz and Cisco Uncangco provide some depth but is that enough to overcome the unavailability of Isaiah Pelkey and Colin Santiago?

2022

The Jealous Types made a surprising run to the championship three years ago. But can RJ San Nicolas, Kai Stenttenbenz, Russell Maratita and company overcome the unavailability of EJ Acda and Evan Brown come playoff time?

96/97

Eddie Pelkey is not in shape and Chris Fernandez, Mike Lee and James Quan will not be walking into The Jungle with Salonpas in hand. But hey, it’s their 30th year and anything can happen right? Probably not. But shout out 96, because 95 sucks!

Three weeks of live action starts Friday night the Jungle! Tickets are available exclusively at www.guamtime.net .