KAPA‘A — Jeremy Robinson and Emery Souza spoiled Tropang-L’s plans, Tuesday night. Tropang-L, coming back with two teams in the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association 18 and Over Men’s league, led for most of the night at the season-opener at the
KAPA‘A — Jeremy Robinson and Emery Souza spoiled Tropang-L’s plans, Tuesday night.
Tropang-L, coming back with two teams in the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association 18 and Over Men’s league, led for most of the night at the season-opener at the Bernice Hundley Gym in Kapa‘a.
But Robinson and Souza’s buckets pulled the Organic Apples to a 52-46 edge with 1:12 remaining.
Jr. Punzalan, the player/coach for Tropang-L, answered with a three-ball and followed with a reverse layup with 24 seconds remaining.
That pulled Tropang-L to within four points at 52-48. Robinson and Trent Thompson put the game out of reach with four free throws to seal the 56-48 Organic Apples win.
“I thought Tropang-L was going to celebrate its first victory,” said Steven Matsumoto, the KYBA official manning the game clock. “This would have been their first win if that happened.”
Tropang opened strong behind the shooting of Jed Balmidiano, Junior Punzalan and James Badua, posting a 29-24 halftime lead.
Balmidiano blistered the twine with a pair of treys and Punzalan added another while Badua and Punzalan led the second quarter with four points apiece.
But the Organic Apples erupted for a 32-19 second-half showing paced by Emery Souza netting 14 of his game-total 16 points in the second half.
Souza topped the Apples’ scoring with 16 points, followed by Robinson adding 13 points, Trent Thompson finishing with 12 and Clifton Asuncion adding 11. Joe Duronslet and player/coach Brandon Wong each chipped in a pair.
Punzalan finished with a game-high 18 points to lead the Tropang scoring, followed by Badua adding a dozen marks. Balmidiano had eight points, Jaymark Serapio finished with six points. Eugene Mariano and Ian Nerida each bucketed a pair for the effort.
Earlier in the evening, Junard Mata finished with 16 points to lead the Kaua‘i Ballers to a 44-19 win over Westside Basketball who got 10 points from Mark Abalos, who stepped up his play when Koa Lagapa fouled out in the third quarter.
Matthew Cummings posted a game-high 18 points, Marlon Cudiamat added 12 points and James Steven finished with 10 points to lead Hanakila B to a 54-12 tromping of Hanakila A who got seven points from strong guard Keali‘i Colipano.
Rashaan Kuhaulua was held to just a final-period three-ball and a pair from Dante Dikeman accounted for the A team scoring.
KYBA next hosts a pair of Girls 12 and Under games, Friday and a Women’s 18 and Over game at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center starting at 6 p.m.
