Rollers, DYS Projects share early lead

Two Ol’Aces defenders challenge the shot of the Rollers’ Matthew Mamaril during the first half of their game in the U14 division of the BANMI youth league last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

DYS Projects eked out a 49-48 victory over Tinian in the first game, while the Rollers nosed out the Ol’Aces in the second match, 39-37. The Rollers and DYS Projects now have identical 2-0 records to share the early lead in the division, while Tinian and the Ol’Aces dropped to similar 0-2 cards.

Chevy Alipio and Duncan Laxa towed DYS Projects to its second straight victory after scoring 17 and 14 points, respectively. Alipio drilled 12 straight points in the second half, while Laxa hit DYS’ last two baskets that allowed their team to escape with the 1-point win.

Before she nailed successive baskets in the second half, Alipio mad only two field goals, while Laxa contributed 6 points, as DYS Projects hung on to a 23-30 halftime edge. Juanis King and Benjamin Zhu combined for 14 points for Tinian in the first half to keep their team afloat after the first half.

In the second half, King went scoreless, leaving Zhu the task to keep up with Alipio and Laxa. Zhu fired 13 points in the final half, but fell short in lifting his team to its first win, as Alipio and Laxa joined forces to foil the visiting squad’s bid.

In the first U14 game, the Rollers earned points from the foul line to edge the Ol’Aces. The Rollers scored 6 of their last 10 points from the free throw area.

Three players teamed up in bailing the Rollers out of trouble in the second half. Aaron Ogumoro knocked in 7 of his 9 points in the final frame, Angelo Factor added 6, while Jude Tengco chipped in 5.

The trio had a so-so performance in the first half, allowing the Ol’Aces to take an 18-16 halftime lead. Factor was held to two free throws in the first half, Tengco made two field goals, and Ogumoro registered only 2 points. The Ol’Aces, on the other hand, had three players scoring at least two field goals to cling to the 2-point cushion after the first 20 minutes of play.

The game remained close in the last 20 minutes of the match with Factor, Ogumoro, and Tengco scoring timely baskets in the homestretch to steal the lead and the win from the Ol’Aces.

First Game
DYS Projects 49 – Alipio 17, Laxa 14, Litusquen 6, Itaas 4, Apasan 4.

Tinian 48 – B. Zhu 22, Santos 9, Ju. King 8, A. King 5, Ja. King 2, San Nicolas 2.

Scoring by halves: 23-20, 49-48.

Second Game
Rollers 39 – Ogumoro 9, Tengco 9, Factor 8, Alonzo 7, Cobacha 5, Mamaril 2, Mendoza 2.

Ol’Aces 37 – Ada 10, Angailen 9, Pua 6, Sablan 5, Manglona 4.

Scoring by halves: 19-16.