NBS Men’s Grade – Week 3 Wrap-Up

2 days ago
3 min read

Game 1: Nomads vs FDWNZ

Nomads came into this clash with a 2–0 record, while FDWNZ were still searching for their first win at 0–2. Nomads started strong, jumping out to a 27–21 lead after the first quarter and looking in control early.

FDWNZ responded in a huge second quarter, with momentum swinging their way as they outscored Nomads to take a 49–45 lead at halftime. A key contributor in the comeback was Newel Buenafe, who had a standout quarter and finished the game with strong perimeter shooting.

Nomads regrouped in the third, edging back in front to lead 71–66 going into the final quarter. What followed was a back-and-forth fourth quarter, with neither side able to hold a lead for more than a minute as both teams traded baskets down the stretch.

Nomads dominated the glass with 17 offensive rebounds, with Nick Fechney and Riley Sa providing constant second-chance opportunities to keep them in the contest. However, their outside shooting struggled, going just 4/24 from three, which ultimately proved costly.

FDWNZ were more efficient from deep, knocking down 9 threes from 22 attempts, helping them edge out a tight finish.

Final Score: FDWNZ 99 def Nomads 96

FDWNZ Stats

Newel Buenafe – 43 pts, 3 steals, 9/9 FT, 5/9 3PT
Earl Cacho – 19 pts
Wellmax Sario – 23 pts, 2 3PT

Nomads Stats

Riley Sa – 38 pts, 10 reb (5 offensive, 5 defensive), 3 steals, 6/6 FT
Nick Fechney – 35 pts, 14 reb (8 offensive, 6 defensive), 2 blocks, 2 steals, 3/6 3PT
James Cochrane - 8 reb, 4 assists
Jacob Swan - 8reb

Full box score found here

Game 2: Checkers vs Eagles – Rematch of Last Year’s Final

Game 2 was a rematch of last season’s final between Checkers and Eagles, and it delivered another competitive start before Checkers eventually took full control.

The Eagles came out firing early, leading 24–21 after the first quarter. But Checkers quickly responded, working their way back into the game and building momentum through the second quarter. By halftime, Checkers had surged ahead 50–40, taking a 10-point lead into the break.

From there, Checkers dictated the pace and never really looked back. Their young U19 representative core—Jack Spicer, Riki Philpott, and William Woods—proved too much to handle, combining for the bulk of the scoring and consistently stepping up in key moments.

While the trio carried much of the scoring load, it was Pip Johnston who delivered a standout all-round performance. He recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, along with 3 blocks, controlling the game in transition and setting up multiple fast-break opportunities. His impact was a major difference-maker on both ends of the floor.

For the Eagles, returning finals MVP Andrew Arcadio provided a strong spark to keep them competitive, while Dion Liza also had a solid offensive outing.

Checkers continued to build on their lead through the second half and closed out a convincing win.

Final Score: Checkers def Eagles 83-92