Kagman rallies past Sonics

Kagman Risers pulled off a come-from-behind 68-66 win over the 670 Sonics in the boys U19 pairing in the 2014 Tan Holdings Basketball Classic last Friday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Kagman Risers’ Andrew Palino, right, is fouled by Dream Team’s Sam Darag during an earlier game in the boys U19 division of the 2014 Tan Holdings Basketball Classic at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Kagman battled back from a 13-point halftime deficit 28-41, to steal the win from the Sonics and match the latter’s record (2-2).

Jon Santos led Kagman’s recovery in the second half, as he scored 11 of his 16 points in the final 20 minutes of the match. He also drew enough help from his teammates with Jesse Santos adding 8 markers, including the team’s last field goal. Three other Kagman players made at least 3 points in the second half to grab the victory from the Sonics.

The Sonics lost the lead and the game, as it had no players hitting more than two field goals in the second half. Jack Aranda, who finished the first half with 16 points, was held to 4 markers and the rest of the team had to earn baskets from the foul line.

The Sonics’ defeat to Kagman kept the former’s roller-coaster performance in the eight-team division. The Sonics won their debut against the Ol’Aces, but fell to division leader Rollers 1 before bouncing back against Dream Team and then losing to Kagman.

Kagman, on the other hand, finally got into its rhythm as it gained its second straight victory after a 0-2 start.

Jesse Santos and Jason Lampkin joined Jon Santos on the list of double figure scorers for Kagman with the former chipping in 15 and Lampkin contributing 13. Allen Yu and Andrew Palino combined for 15 points to help Kagman’s Top 3 scorers.

Meanwhile, the Ol’Aces are also on a roll, notching their third straight win after downing Rollers 3, 66-58, in the first game last Friday.

Tristan Montes powered the Ol’Aces over the winless Rollers 3 (0-4) as he knocked in a team-high 20 points. He scored the Ol’Aces’ first and last basket in the opening half, giving the team a 33-25 halftime edge.

In the second half, Rollers 3 tried to overhaul the lead, but just could not get past Montes and company, as the latter’s teammate also stepped up in the final 20 minutes of play to keep their safe distance.

Evan Miller supported Montes with his 10 points, while five other Ol’Aces players combined for 36 more markers.

Angelo Factor led Rollers 3’s losing cause with his 23 points, but he got consistent help only from Aaron Ogumoro, who tallied 15 markers.

First Game
Ol’Aces 66–Montes 20, Miller 10, Leowel Cristobal 9, Castillo 9, Bucayo 6, Nakashima 6, Moses 6.

Rollers 3 58–Factor 23, Ogumoro 15, Tengco 9, Arceo 4, Dela Cruz 2, Mendoza 1.

Scoring by halves: 33-25, 66-58.

Second Game
Kagman 68–Jo. Santos 16, Je. Santos 15, Lampkin 13, Yu 8, Palino 7, Li 5, Zheng 2.

Sonics 66–Aranda 20, De Guzman 13, Alegre 13, Feria 7, Javier 4, Flores 2, Ogasawara 2, Je. Villanueva 2.

Scoring by halves: 41-28, 68-66.