Ol’Aces 1 remains in playoff contention

The Ol’Aces 1’s Andrew Palino pulls up for a point-blank shot against Rollers 2’s Prince Factor, partly hidden, during the first quarter of their boys U25 division game in the TanHoldings holiday caging last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Ol’Aces 1 is still in the playoff race in the boys U25 division of the 2016 TanHoldings Christmas Basketball Tournament following a 62-54 win over the Rollers 2 last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

The Ol’Aces 1 now has a 2-2 record for a tie for third to fourth place with Vibes and behind Rollers 1 (3-0) and Ol’Aces 2 (3-1). The Rollers 2 fell to a 2-3 card, while Talaabwogh Star (0-4) completes the field. Only the Top 4 teams after the round-robin play will move into the playoff round.

M.J. Sakisat led the Ol’Aces 1’s important victory after scoring 14 points, while Andrew Palino chipped in 12. The duo combined for 14 points in the first half to lift the Ol’Aces 1 to a 29-22 advantage. The Ol’Aces 1 never relinquished the lead after that as Sakisat and Palino also got help from their teammates.

In other results in the boys U25 division, Vibes and the Ol’Aces 2 routed Talaabwogh Star.

Vibes first met Talaabwogh Star last Wednesday with the former cruising to a 91-43 victory. Four Vibes players scored in double figures in their demolition of Talaabwogh with Douglas Schmidt leading the way with his 18 markers.

Talaabwogh Star’s woes continued last Saturday, as the Ol’Aces 2 won in their make-up game, 63-41.

R.J. Paragados and Jeff Castro teamed up in the 22-point victory after tallying 15 and 13 points, respectively.

Meanwhile, in the women’s division CTSI notched two wins last week, while Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan and Armatech also prevailed in their respective matches.

CTSI edged Sun Palace last Wednesday, 40-37, before downing IT&E (4-2) last Saturday, 44-34.

Against Sun Palace, CTSI got 14 points from Cass Camacho and 12 from Mary Kay Alferos to outclass Sun Palace (3-2). Versus IT&E, Camacho picked up where she left off, logging 16 points. She then found a new ally in Mikky Kautz, who chipped in 14 markers to lift CTSI to a 5-1 card. CTSI is assured of one of the two slots in the semifinals.

Fiesta Resort is also in the Final Four and remained undefeated in five games following a 47-21 victory over Jingle Ballers (2-4).

Chevy Kate Alipio paced Fiesta with her 14 points.

Armatech is still in playoff contention after beating QQ Rent A Car, 34-11, and improving to a 2-3 record. Armatech is in fifth place in the team standings behind Sun Palace (3-2), pending results of last night’s matches. Marlene Lumabi led Armatech with her 16 points.