NORFOLK ASIAN AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

The excitement of the NAABL season continues to build as the teams are rounding into shape. The league continues to receive positive comments which are highly appreciated. People are already inquiring on the next season of play. But just as this season is a work in progress, planning for the next season is also a work in progress. If you have any ideas for the next season such as when it should start (spring or summer), how many teams, and/or variations in the rules, please contact us. As always we respect all comments and ideas. For now, though, we are in the midst of an already succesful inaugural season. The teams are playing hard and putting on a good show. Questions, comments, and/or gripes??? Please email us at [email protected] or sign the guestbook. Thank you.

Day 3 games were a far cry from last weeks games in which 3 of 4 games were decided by 7 points or less. The closest game on Day 3 was 12 points. The other games were blow outs of 21 points or more. Overall the games seemed to be a bit more sloppy than last week. Maybe because people know I might talk about them. But regardless the games were still exciting to watch because of great individual performances and team play. And most importantly, the sportsmanship and team spirit has been exemplary (as always) and encouraging for the first season of play.

In Game 1, Skyhigh displayed a great example of how just one key situation can make or break ya. In a battle of undefeateds, the Red Storm built a 14 point lead early in the game. But Skyhigh stayed tough as a team and worked the lead back down to 5 with help from Lee Harrelson's 7 points,1 3Pt in the first half (10 points, 2 3Pts for the game) and Dah Ibanez's 6 points in the first half. But with 7 minutes left in the first half and down by just 8, Skyhigh got a steal and blew a 2-on-none break missing about 4 layups in the process and Red Storm getting the rebound. And on the next play up the court, Skyhigh stole the ball again only to throw the ball away on a 4-on-1 break. Skyhigh was never the same. Red Storm got up in em after that finishing the first half leading 39-24 and going on to their third victory in a row winning 69-42. It didnt hurt to have the leagues top gunner Chev Zaporteza (16 points, 4 threes-league leader), Joe Flores (another 15 point game), and Julian Pete (12 points) all having great games. But one critical error can sway the tide quickly. The Red Storm face a serious threat to their undefeated record as they are pitted against the Passions in Day 4. Skyhigh will have to shake it off and come back and battle an upstart Raptors team that is coming off of an encouraging win.

It took a while to get the teams going in Game 2 but the Passions and the Dope Squad both started ballin later in the game for the closest contest of the day. An unusual uniform circumstance messed up everyones rhythm--even the refs. Both teams started the game with grey uniforms which confused everybody. The refs paused the game and the Passions rounded up some white tees and play proceeded. But the scoring didnt. 10 minutes into the first half the score was only 4-6. But the Passions quickly turned it up and led at the half 25-13. The Passions seemed to struggle to hold on to that 12 point lead as the persistent Dope Squad kept battling back and having a far better second half scoring 31 points. But the Passions were able to keep their first half lead intact to win 56-44 led by Ryan Driggers (14 pts), Jay Gundran (14 pts, 1 three), and Jun Madera (10 pts). Dope Squad's scoring was well balanced with their top performers being Rob Corsino (8 pts) and Jerome Kubalewski (11 pts but 1/5 from the line). The Dope Squad was plagued by poor foul shooting going 4 for 12 on the day. The Passions faceoff against the leagues' top team, the Red Storm, on Day 4. The Dope Squad will see if they can pick up their first W against the Sharks.

Game 3 started with two teams struggling to get a win and finished with one team falling deeper into a hole and the other team suddenly looking like championship contenders. This game was highlighted by an extraordinary performance by the Raptors' Mel Right who almost beat the G Stars by himself scoring 28 pts with 3 threes and shooting 7 for 8 from the line. The Raptors were in the drivers seat with a 29-9 halftime lead in which Right scored half of his points. He scored the other 14 pts in the second half as the Raptors made it seem easy winning 58-29. The G Stars never really got it going all game, and a combination of sloppy play and poor shot selection seemed to sink all hopes for a comeback. Other key performers were Mike Marasigan of the Raptors (8 points, 1 three, 3/4 from the line) and the G Stars' BJ Macalino (7 pts, 3/6 from the line). The upstart Raptors move on to face Skyhigh in a critical showdown for both teams. Things arent getting easier for the G Stars as they get ready to face an undefeated United team.

The Sharks seemed to tame United's major threat, Joy Arenas, but it didnt matter as great team foul shooting and a balanced scoring attack spearheaded by Kokoy Marisigan prevailed for United as they went on to win 63-42. Marisigan scored 21 pts, drained a three, and went 4 for 5 from the line. Kenny Hermoso also had a good day scoring 13 pts including a three. And Craig Bynum made his living at the line going 5 for 6 and finishing with 9 pts. After trailing at the half 19-32 the Sharks did manage to work the lead down to 9 but thats as close as they got. Constant fouling hurt the Sharks' chances because United just kept hitting their free throws going 15 for 20 on the day compared to the Sharks' 2 for 5. Questionable shot selection also seemed to put the Sharks deeper in debt. The top performers for the Sharks were Dennis Laxa whose efforts generated 13 pts including 2 threes, Emmet Forbes (9 pts), and Terry Eusebio (8 pts). Next week the Sharks face a tough challenge against the Dope Squad and United faces the winless G Stars.

The Athletic Director of Norflok Public Schools said that people dont usually ask to use the scoreboard becuz u gotta pay about a grand if it breaks. But he sounded interested in the event and he said hed see what he can do and that maybe we can use the scoreboard on our final day. But until then, we gotta use the dry erase board and the refs wrist watch. If any one has any suggestions hit me up at [email protected] or leave a message in the guest book. Scorecards that flip over and/or a big clock that counts down would be good.

Yall both wear black uniforms. To avoid the BS that occurred in the Passions/Dope Squad game, please plan accordingly before you play in Day 7 or in the playoffs. For the sake of your game on Day 7, the AWAY team (UNITED) must provide alternate uniforms (white tees and a magic marker or the good kind of duct tape) unless Skyhigh agrees otherwise. We'll call thatHOME team advantage.