Late third-quarter surge powers Ol’Aces past Rollers

The Ol’Aces’ Joe Villacrusis is fouled by the Ballers’ Kenneth Viray during the third quarter of their game in the island-wide men’s caging last Tuesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Ol’Aces had an explosive start in the 2016 Island-wide Men’s Basketball League following a 102-79 demolition of the Ballers last Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Ol’Aces won their first game in the revived league in a convincing fashion after breaking the Ballers’ back late in the third quarter.

The match was still tied at 59-all after the Ballers’ Ignacio Borja hit back-to-back baskets before the Ol’Aces countered with a 13-2 scoring spurt in the last two minute and change of the third canto. Two straight triples from Joe Villacrusis and Freddie Pelisamen sparked the surge, while Jack Lizama added 6 points in the final one minute to lift the Ol’Aces to a 72-61 advantage, heading into the fourth period. The Ballers got their two points in the meltdown off Chris Lilles’ pair of charities.

The Ballers never recovered from thereon, as the Ol’Aces simply had too many options on offense and continued to find their targets in the final frame.

Preston Basa led six Ol’Aces players who scored in double figures with his 22 points, including 9 from downtown in the third quarter to help his team regain the upper hand after the Ballers grabbed the driver’s seat early in the second half. Pelisamen chipped in 17, while Lizama added 15. Dan Barcinas contributed 14, while Villacrusis tallied 10.

Kenneth Viray paced the Ballers with his 18 markers.

Meanwhile, Ali’i prevailed in the opening game in the league after clobbering Best Sunshine International, 79-45.

Ali’i led right at the get-go and was never threatened as it used its balance offense to whip BSI. Manalo Manalo top-scored in Ali’i’s easy win, recording 15 points, while Elmer Esdrelon chipped in 12. Junar Guiab, Darwin Barbo, and Brendon Talanio also finished in twin digits with 10 markers each. Chris Estevez was the lone double-figure scorer for BSI with his 13 points.

First Game
Ali’i 79 — Manalo 15, Esdrelon 12, Guiab 10, Barbo 10, Talania 10, Devero 7, Santos 5, Capalad 4, Demapan 4, Fernando 2.
BSI 45 — Esteves 13, Santos 8, Kautz 8, Miranda 8, Postolero 2, Omar 2, Camacho 2, Sabiniano 1, Oyola 1.
Scoring by quarters: 28-11, 46-25, 65-36, 79-45

Second Game
Ol’Aces 102— Basa 22, Pelisamen 17, Lizama 15, Barcinas 14, Villacrusis 10, Pua 5, Libuw 4, Deleon Guerrero 1,
Ballers 79 – Viray 18, Villacrusis 13, Mangali 11, Borja 10, Lilles 8, Dizon 6, Ferrer 4, Paraiso 3, Cortez 2, Sanciangco 2, Tenorio 2.
Scoring by quarters: 21-21, 40-34, 72-61, 102-79.