NABA 2009 SCARBOROUGH: Junior Division
RiseOfTheSon Pre-NABA Power Rankings:
1- Dolce Toronto
2- North Jersey Knights
3- Scarborough Falcons
4- North York-NYPAA
5- Montreal-Marquis
6- Winnipeg Wildcats A
7- Winnipeg Wildcats B
8- Washington D.C.-FYBA
9- Mississauga-MYAA
10- SIPAG-NY
11- JSAG-Jersey Shore
12- York Angiels
13- Glendale Heights Fil-Am
14- Durham FBA
15- Vaughan
16- New Market
Official Outcome:
2 game appearence:
-SIPAG-New York
-Detroit-PBA
-Durham
-Glendale Heights-Chicago
3 game appearance:
-Washington D.C.-FYBA (1-2)
-North York-NYPAA (1-2)
4 game appearances:
-Dolce-Toronto (2-2)
-Brampton-FAAB (2-2)
-JSAG-Jersey Shore (2-2)
-York Angiels (2-2)
Top Contenders:
1st place- North Jersey Knights (5-0)
2nd place [1st runner up] Montreal Marquis (4-2)
3rd place – Winnipeg-Loralee 2 (4-2)
4- Scarborough Falcons (3-2)
5- Winnipeg-Loralee 1 (3-2)
It was a weekend of well rounded strong competition. Amongst the strongest the NABA Junior division has seen in quite some time. Speed, strength, skill and lots of heart, the Junior division filled in the most teams at this year’s NABA with 15 teams, where at least half of the teams were considered contenders for the NABA Championship. RiseOfTheSon predicted 3 correctly out of the top 5 Pre-NABA rankings correctly. Let’s get straight to it, as the lottery paired up 14 of the 15 teams with Scarborough getting the home turf bye. The first games of the Junior division were played at 12:30pm at the Hoopdome on the Saturday of NABA. Durham faced off with Washington D.C., Winnipeg 2 played contender Montreal-Marquis, Brampton-FAAB was to face JSAG-Jersey Shore and the York Angiels were to face Glendale Heights-Chicago.
All the games tipped off all at the same time on the 4 standard sized courts at the Hoopdome, and it was a great way to get things started. Most of the power house teams watched the strongest of the teams facing off, with Winnipeg-Loralee 2 vs. Montreal-Marquis on court 2.
Montreal Marquis vs. Winnipeg Loralee
Both Winnipeg-Loralee and Montreal-Marquis were hands down the biggest teams of the division, sporting 6fters and guards ranging in the 5’8-5’10 area. Winnipeg-Loralee brought strong intensity, and was the biggest team of the Junior division. Right off the bat, they played man-to-man but Montreal sported a lineup of NABA experienced players that matched their opponent’s intensity. It was also a nice square off between Junior division standouts, Cash Blanca of Winnipeg and Ryan Erwin Agana of Montreal-Marquis. A close game in the beginning, when Montreal found their comfort zone, made stops and went on a few scoring runs to put them ahead to win the game 65-54. On the adjacent court, was the game between Durham and Washington D.C. on court 1. Both were ranked low on the Pre-Rankings and it was proven right as both teams didn’t really show much contention to be a top team. Nonetheless, both teams brought that hunger and made the game exciting for the NABA community as both teams exchanged leads throughout the game. Durham sported Gabe Alamag and Ihsan Pe Benito, both of whom played for the North York 2008 Bantam Championship team. Washington D.C. sent a team of virtually all role players with maybe one or 2 exceptions of being
Durham's Gabriel A. on the drive vs. Washington D.C.
Junior division standouts. Both were fairly even in size but also lacked the talent to be a strong contender in the division, as Durham fell to Washington D.C. 52-44. On the other side, at Court 3, was the game between the York Angiels and Glendale Heights. Like Durham and Washington D.C., both teams lacked talent but sported competitive ballers that were eager to play. Glendale Heights sported a lineup with size, and what decided their fate was the lack of a bench. Glendale’s best player was point guard Carmelo, and he did all he could to keep his team alive. On the other hand, York sported a team with high intensity, but lacked a real standout to build a team around. Their team chemistry though pulled them passed Glendale as they won 48-40.
Glendale Heights-Chicago vs. York Angiels
To finish off the Junior division opening games was the game between Jersey Shore and Brampton. RiseOfTheSon picked JSAG over Brampton as they sported an experienced starting five and one of the 3 biggest players in the Junior division, with Andy Harris standing out 6’4, as well as player standout Nikko “The Rhino” Guirao. Brampton-FAAB showcased a team of players that matched JSAG’s intensity despite being the smaller team. They used their speed, agility and shooting touch to make the game interesting as the game was close the 1st half. In the 2nd half, JSAG couldn’t find score in some instances of a Brampton-FAAB run and Brampton held off the team from Jersey Shore, with RiseOfTheSon considering the game as an upset.
JSAG-Jersey Shore vs. Brampton-FAAB
We move up to 1:40, where the games of North York vs. SIPAG on court 1, as well as #1 ranked Dolce-Toronto vs. Detroit on court 2 were going to take place. North York and SIPAG’s history in this age group went back to NABA 2007, when North York’s bantam team, lead by court general, Jenno Almasol, sent Carlo DeChavez and his SIPAG team to the loser’s bracket back in the Bantam Division. In NABA 2008, SIPAG’s only losses in the Bantam
Rivalry dating back to NABA Chicago 2006, Carlo vs. Jerome
division came to North York, via buzzer beater in pool play and then in the Championship game, with Jason Lomboy leading the charge for North York. This year, in the Junior division Carlo squared off with his longtime rival, Jerome Yumul, with their matchup dating back to NABA 2006, in their Peewee days when Jerome played for Lakan-Etobicoke, and defeated Carlo in the Peewee division championship. In 4 games, since 2006, Carlo has yet to defeat Jerome. The North York/SIPAG game started out close, with the marquee match up being Jerome ‘The Tank’ Yumul vs. Carlo ‘Big Black’ DeChavez, always a crowd favorite.
SIPAG held their own the whole game vs. the experienced North York lineup, lead by Jenno Almasol, Jerome, Cyle Egamino, Jack Medina and RJ Beloso. SIPAG’s team chemistry between their rotating players of Carlo, young gun John Alovera, Dan Jamison, the Quiros twins, Martin Manomat, EJ “Big Baby” Sampang and veteran John Labrador made the game very interesting and was staging a chance to defeat the #4 ranked North York. Late in the game, North York left their core players in and pushed the lead to double digits and held off the blue & orange of SIPAG defeating them 57-50. Over to court 2, with the #1 ranked team facing off with unranked Detroit. Right off the bat, the intimidation of Dolce’s presence got the best of the Detroit ballers. Dolce-Toronto jumped to an early lead and never looked back, as the core of Chris Baltazar, Jenzan Calaoa, AC Hagoriles and Toronto Allstar, Kevin Ramos as well as their supporting cast looked to make a strong run for a championship. Toronto defeated Detroit 72-23.
Dolce-Toronto vs. Detroit
The last game of the Junior division 1st round came between #2 ranked/defending champs, North Jersey and Winnipeg-Loralee 1. Like Winnipeg 2, Winnipeg 1 was a roster of workhorses that brought intensity, strong team chemistry and speed. North Jersey matched everything possible of Winnipeg, as they showcased one of the strongest 3-guard lineups in the Junior division, lead by reigning Junior Division MVP, AJ Pizon, and NABA 2008’s Bantam Division Runner up backcourt of Jon Jon ‘Penny’ Penalosa and Ranier “Rain Man” Garcia. They’re powered by forward frontcourt of
North Jersey vs. Winnipeg Loralee 1
returning player Chris Barsatan and athletic Bergenfield pickup, Julius Rodriguez. Winnipeg’s weapon was bigman Rodel Aaron, who was one of the best centers the Junior division showcased this year. North Jersey jumped to an early lead with a run as they forced turnovers and capitalized off 2nd chances. Winnipeg fought back tying the game and being down by 2 at halftime. In the 2nd half the game went back and forth as both teams exchanged leads. Down the stretch, North Jersey made big stops, scored on fastbreaks and held the ball killing the clock. North Jersey put one ‘W’ in the bag defeating Winnipeg by a small margin, 42-35.
The first game of the winner’s bracket was a Toronto showdown between Dolce-Toronto and the hosts, Scarborough Falcons.
Toronto powerhouse showdown - Dolce-Toronto vs. Scarborough Falcons
Despite having a game under their legs, Dolce-Toronto handled the strong guard play of the Falcons very well. Scarborough, lead by floor General and longtime Scarborough veteran, Jeremiah “J-Henry” Valmadrid, as well as NABA veterans Griffen Fernandez and the athletic swingman Jeff Ortiz, struggled against the strength and size of the Toronto lineups. Toronto earned 2nd chance opportunities and defensively had the edge as they forced turnovers and tough shots for the Falcons. Falcons never found their groove and dropped their tournament opener, losing to the #1 ranked Dolce-Toronto powerhouse with the score 61-43.
At 5:10pm, Washington D.C. faced off against the tough squad of Montreal-Marquis. Montreal’s size, athleticism and most important, talent handled Washington D.C. and gave them a reality check of the true competition at NABA.
Montreal vs. Washington D.C.
Final score in favor on Montreal-Marquis was 60-35, sending D.C. to the loser’s bracket. Later that night, Brampton faced off against York Angiels in the Junior Division 3rd quarter final. Another game between 2 of the weaker teams, York shut down the perimeter shooting of Brampton and held them off for a 9 point win, 46-37. The last quarter final game of the day came between North York and North Jersey. A game that had more history to it, as in NABA Toronto 2007, back in the Bantam division, North York sent AJ’s team home in the loser bracket semi-final. In NABA Detroit 2008, AJ and his company put North York’s junior team in the loser’s bracket.
North York vs. North Jersey
It was another fun matchup between AJ Pizon and Jenno Almasol, 2 of the leading guards in the Junior division, as well as a battle of their supporting casts. North York jumped to a 6-2 lead, but as North Jersey gained momentum they tied the game and took the lead. The talent of North Jersey’s bench overwhelmed North York’s reserves, as North Jersey pushed the lead up to 19, and kept the game at a comfortable pace. North Jersey defeated North York 54-38.
The loser bracket games were played all afternoon, heres a rundown of the games in the loser bracket on Saturday.
SIPAG-New York vs. Winnipeg Loralee
2:50pm: Durham (30) – Winnipeg II (52)
2:50pm: Jersey Shore (53) – Glendale Heights (49)
5:10pm: SIPAG-NY (54) – Winnipeg I (56)
6:20pm: Detroit (34) – Scarborough Falcons (55)
8:40pm: Brampton (39) – Jersey Shore (53)
8:40pm: North York (53) – Winnipeg I (54)
Detroit vs. Scarborough Falcons
Sunday morning, the 1st Winner Bracket quarter-final game was a powerhouse matchup between Dolce-Toronto and North Jersey, most notably, a Fil-Am/Fil-Can Allstar showdown between North Jersey’s AJ Pizon and Dolce-Toronto’s Kevin Ramos.
Fil-Am Phenom, AJ Pizon of North Jersey vs. Fil-Can Allstar, Kevin Ramos of Dolce-Toronto
North Jersey jumped to a 6-0 lead, scoring off a put back and a couple of free throws. It was only a matter of time till AC Hagoriles, Chris Baltazar and Kevin Ramos got into their groove, with Janzen Calaoa, Miguel Bediones and Patrick Plamenco taking care of the paint and both posts. The game went back and forth once Dole-Toronto tied the game. In the 2nd half, AC Hagoriles fell into his comfort zone as he scored from all angles vs. North Jersey’s zone, shooting from close to NBA range. Dolce-Toronto pushed to a 10 point lead in the 2nd half and it looked like they were going to send North Jersey into the loser’s bracket.
North Jersey vs. Dolce-Toronto
North Jersey’s veterans fought relentlessly, and crawled their way back into the game. With players fouling out, and the gym filling up with more people, the game was so close, and the battle of powerhouses pushed the game for 4 overtimes. North Jersey forced tough shots and secured critical rebounds, knocked down their free throws and sent Dolce-Toronto into the loser’s bracket. North Jersey was to face the winner between the Montreal-Marquis and York winner bracket quarter final. York got the real taste of NABA competition facing Montreal Marquis.
Montreal Marquis vs. York Angiels
Montreal was able to rest their core players and they controlled the tempo and scoreboard keeping the lead at 15+. York failed to succeed in their adjustments and lost to Montreal-Marquis 71-53, setting up a very interesting Winner bracket Semi-Final game between Montreal-Marquis and North Jersey.
The loser bracket semi’s started with JSAG-Jersey Shore vs. Winnipeg II at the same time of the North Jersey-Dolce Toronto Quarter final.
Winnipeg Loralee 1 vs. JSAG-Jersey Shore
The game was tight, as both teams felt the elimination intensity. JSAG brought their ‘A’ game vs. the Winnipeg II bombsquad, featuring a matchup between guards, Cash Blanca or Winnipeg and Todd Angeles of Jersey Shore.
Cash Blanca of Winnipeg vs. Todd Angeles of Jersey Shore
Towards the end of the game, a serious injury to prize pickup, Juan Juarez of JSAG, decided their fate, as Winnipeg II pulled away and defeated JSAG, sending them home with the low score of 38-32.
After losing to North Jersey, Dolce-Toronto was scheduled to play Scarborough immediately after their game. Scarborough took advantage of the 4 overtime game under Dolce’s legs and upset the #1 ranked team going into NABA, defeating them 54-45.
Top of Toronto's Class: AC Hagoriles (Left) vs. Griff Fernandez (Right)
Right after that game, Scarborough was scheduled to play the winner of the North York/Winnipeg I game, which was a well rested Winnipeg I, just minutes after defeating Dolce. Scarborough held their own and played at their pace, using their athleticism and strong guard play to send Winnipeg I home, winning 53-36. Scarborough would then play the winner of York and Winnipeg II. Once again, York went up against another true contender of NABA and was overwhelmed by the size and talent of the boys from Winnipeg. Winnipeg easily defeated York, with the score 74-40 setting up a loser bracket quarter final with Scarborough.
The winner of this game would advance to the loser bracket semi final to face the loser of the North Jersey-Montreal winner bracket semi final. North Jersey and Montreal squared off at 1:40pm on court 3.
North Jersey's AJ Pizon guarded by JayJay Mina of Montreal
Montreal controlled the rebounds and brought their fire to start the game as they jumped to an early lead. North Jersey couldn’t score and their transition defense was weak as Montreal would score on the fastbreak. Montreal extended their lead to 15 late in the 1st half, with North Jersey cutting the lead down to 10 at halftime.
JayJay Mina lighting it up.
Montreal’s talented rotation featured Quebec Allstar, Ryan Erwin Agana, as well as allstar guards Chris Rajandram, JayJay Mina, young buck Carlos Jancinal, plus big men and NABA veterans Nathaniel Bacolod, Allister Baclayo and Julius Bongato. North Jersey crawled back into the game in thd 2nd half, but it took the whole 2nd half to narrow the lead down to 1.
Crucial possesion on North Jersey's comeback.
With 1 second left, and North Jersey down by 1, Ryan Agana fouled AJ pizon behind the 3 pnt line and AJ catapulted his team into the championship game for a chance to repeat their Junior Division 2008 Title, winning 57-56.
AJ's Free throws catapult North Jersey back to the Junior division Championship.
With that game over, Montreal was sent to the loser bracket semi-final vs. Winnipeg II, in a rematch of their 1st game of the tournament. Montreal won the same way they won their first meeting, which was basically the use of what they had, feeding off Winnipeg’s intensity, scoring high percentage shots and out-rebounding the bigger Winnipeg lineup. Montreal-Marquis pushed their way into the Junior division championship game, defeating Winnipeg 63-40.
Loser Brackett Semi Final: Winnipeg Loralee 2 vs. Montreal Marquis
The tables were set, as the Championship game was scheduled for 6:20pm on Court 1 between North Jersey and Montreal-Marquis. Their rivalry dated back to NABA Toronto 2007, when both teams were in the Bantam division, Montreal defeated North Jersey in triple overtime in the 1st round, and North Jersey eliminated Montreal in the loser’s bracket. Some of the players on North Jersey had history vs. Montreal dating back to NABA New York 2005 when Montreal eliminated them when they played for SIPAG-NY. Penny Penalosa had defeated them twice in NABA Chicago 2006, and eliminated them in NABA Detroit 2008 alongside Rain Man Garcia. The players knew each other and it was a match up 4 NABA’s in the making.
Championship Game: North Jersey vs. Montreal Marquis
The bleachers were packed, and random on-lookers would peep at the Junior division Championship, as well as players from teams that had been eliminated, especially the Toronto teams of Dolce and Scarborough.
AJ from behind the arc.
North Jersey jumped to an early 8-2 lead, but in no time Montreal found their rhythm, and forced North Jersey to play at their tempo which was more halfcourt. Virtually everytime Ryan Erwin Agana touched the ball, he scored. North Jersey’s offense was powered by their core 4 of AJ Pizon, Ranier Garcia, Julius Rodriguez, and Chris Barsatan, and kept up with Montreal not allowing their lead to grow more than 8. But it was déjà vu all over again, as Montreal took the lead and held onto it through the first half and more than half of the 2nd half. JayJay Mina and Chris Rajandran aided Agana on the scoreboard and the game was reaching crunch time. About 5 minutes left in the game, the reigning MVP, AJ Pizon, started cramping up with Montreal ahead by 5 points.
Crunchtime: Junior Division Championship on the line.
The North Jersey Knights came together, made defensive stops by forcing tough and contested shots to crawl their way back up the scoreboard and not only tie but take the lead as well with a corner jump shot. Once North Jersey took the lead, they never look back. After Chris Rajandram, JayJay Mina, and Ryan Agana missed shot opportunities, North Jersey secured defensive rebounds, made their free throws, and defended the franchise 2008 Junior Division Championship.
North Jersey defends their 2008 Junior Division Championship.
North Jersey won the tournament the same way they won all the leagues and tournaments they had won all summer, based off speed and their relentless offense. Their core won the SIPAG High School Invitational Winter League in early February over in Staten Island-NY,
SIPAG-New York High School Invitational League Champs: North Jersey Juniors/Juveniles
their core was also apart of the NYCE Allstar team that won the Asian Basketball Classic, hosted by the NY Rockits back in April over in Englewood, NJ, they won the Boston MASAE Junior Summer Invitational Tournament in late July over in Boston,
Boston-MASAE Junior Invitational tournament for Youth Champs: North Jersey Knights
and they won the Central Jersey Kalahi Juvenile Summer League in Piscataway, NJ in early August.
Central Jersey-Kalahi Juvenile Summer League Champs: North Jersey Knights
They will be a candidate for team of the year later in December. Now the question is how will they rebuild their team as two-time Junior division MVP will move up to the Juvenile division.
A sneak preview for next year’s Junior division sees a strong regroup by the Montreal-Marquis boys as they won the 15&U Turkey Bowl in Toronto, as well as a revamped Dolce-Toronto team with their 2009 Bantam Championship team moving up to the junior division lead by Cornell Mohammed, Kean Lopez and Errol Yalung, lets not forget North York and the potential return of their NABA 2008 Championship “Brotherhood” team lead by Jason Lomboy and a hopeful return of Jerome Yumul and Julius Sapico for another run with North York. This year’s Junior division was jam packed with talent and intense teams, but next year already looks to be promising! Thanks for reading, and keep on the lookout for future articles on RISEOFTHESON.COM!
