Streaking Sonics notch fifth victory

The Sonics’ Jack Aranda drives against two Dream Team defenders during an earlier U21 division game in the BANMI youth caging at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

With their streak and 5-1 record, the Sonics remained in second place in the team standings behind the unbeaten Ol’Aces (5-0), while Kagman slid from second to third spot with its 4-2 mark.

The Sonics put the game away for good in the third period when they established a 22-point lead, 60-38, after Kagman brought the deficit to single digit at the end of the second quarter, 28-36. The quartet of Jaymark De Guzman, Emerson Feria, Gerald Flores, and Erick De La Rosa hit at least two field goals apiece in the third period to give the Sonics a much safer distance, entering the fourth quarter.

The same Sonics crew also delivered the killer blows in the final canto to hand Kagman its second loss in six outings.

Feria led the Sonics with his 20 points, while De Guzman added 16, and Dela Rosa and Flores contributed 15 and 10, respectively. Only Jason Lampkin hit the double-figure mark for Kagman, as he fired a game-high 21 points. Lampkin’s supposed supporting crew—Jesse and Jonathan Santos, Allan Yu, and Mike Muna—made no more than three field goals apiece and failed to nail baskets in streaks.

Jesse had a quiet 8 points and was the only Kagman player to score more than one field goal in the third quarter letdown, while Yu and Jonathan tallied 6 markers each and Muna logged 5. The three other Kagman players who made it to the board had only 2 points each, while the Sonics also prevailed in bench scoring with its three stringers combining for 24 points.

J.P. Villanueva came off the bench for the Sonics and ended the first period with back-to-back baskets to give his team a 21-10 lead. Villanueva replaced De Guzman, who sat out after scoring 9 early points and nearly match Kagman’s output.

Kagman picked up its scoring in the second period with Lampkin drilling the Sparks’ last 10 points to cut the deficit to single digit at halftime. However, Kagman failed to complete its comeback bid in the second half with only Lampkin consistently hitting his shots, while the Sonics had multiple offensive options.

Sonics 78 – Feria 20, De Guzman 16, Dela Rosa 15, Flores 10, Aranda 8, J. Villanueva 6, Je. Villanueva 2.

Kagman 52 – Lampkin 21, Je. Santos 8, Yu 6, Jo. Santos 6, Muna 5, Palino 2, Prado 2, Mettao 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-10, 36-28, 60-38, 78-52.