Easy title win for M&M Salas

M&M Salas Ol’Aces’ Kevin Kabiriel, left, takes off for a reverse layup against the 670 Sonics XVIII’s Keeanu Diaz during the second half of their title game in the 2017 TanHoldings Christmas Basketball Tournament last Saturday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

M&M Salas Ol’Aces secured the boys division championship in the 2017 TanHoldings Christmas Basketball Tournament following a 64-44 victory over the 670 Sonics XVIII last Saturday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

The top-ranked M&M Salas lived up to its lofty billing, as it took control of the winner-take-all finale and withstood the 670 Sonics XVIII’s fightback late in the first half en route to the 20-point winning margin. The triumph allowed M&M Salas to keep its unbeaten record in the tournament, as it won all its nine matches in the eight-team field.

The highly favored team started the championship game with a 9-0 run, as its trapping defense held the 670 Sonics XVIII scoreless for nearly the first five minutes of the game. With his squad down early, 670 Sonics XVIII coach Omar Ajoste pressed the panic button and replaced his starting five. The 670 Sonics XVIII’s second unit then responded with 4 straight points off a pair of free throws from Matthew Kapileo and John Malasarte’s basket.

After getting a dressing down from their coach, three of the 670 Sonics XVIII starters returned to the game and this time held their ground against M&M Salas. A layup from Kapileo moved the 670 Sonics XVIII within four, 13-17, however M&M Salas countered with a 14-2 windup in the last four minutes and change of the first half to take a 31-15 halftime edge. Again, the 670 Sonics XVIII was rattled by M&M Salas’ pressured defense, resulting to the former’s numerous errors and the latter’s easy baskets.

After a strong finish in the first half, M&M Salas slowed down a bit in the early part of the second, while the 670 Sonics XVIII began to move the ball well and get easy baskets to cut the deficit to 10 twice, 23-33 (16:21 left), and 29-39 (9:06 left).

However, that was the closest that the 670 Sonics XVIII could get, as M&M Salas went on a backbreaking 12-0 scoring run to taste its biggest lead in the game, 51-29. Aiferson Atan anchored the rally, making 6 straight points with all of them coming off steals as for the nth time, the 670 Sonics XVIII struggled against M&M Salas’ pesky defense.

Once M&M Salas’ lead ballooned to 20-plus, it was all over but the final score, which took a while to be determined as the match was stopped on several occasions due to the malfunctioning scoreboard.

Despite the momentum-halting technical difficulties, M&M Salas went on to complete its lopsided victory and used its bench to finish off the 670 Sonics XVIII.

Atan led M&M Salas’ balance scoring in the finals with his 14 points, while N-Nes Siech added 9, and Kevin Kabiriel and Franco Bondoc chipped in 8 each. Four other M&M Salas players combined for 23 more points.

Khristian Itaas top-scored for the 670 Sonics XVIII with his 10 markers, but 6 of them came when the game was already decided.

Meanwhile, Sun Palace outclassed Kanoa Resort, 74-70, to place third in the boys division.

Christian Morales had 39 markers to cap his strong offensive showing in the tournament and lead Sun Palace’s close win. He tallied 4 of Sun Palace’ last 6 points to hand his team the win. Dai Podziewski made the 2 other points.

Anthony Deleon Guerrero registered 25 markers on a losing effort for Kanoa Resort.

Finals
M&M Salas Ol’Aces 64 — Atan 14, Siech 9, Kabiriel 8, Bondoc 8, Abejo 6, Blake 6, Santos 6, Sacdalan 5, Manalo 1.
670 Sonics XVIII 44 — Itaas 10, De Guzman 7, Tengco 6, Malasarte 6, Apasan 4, Kapileo 4, Cobacha 3, Alipio 2, Diaz 2.
Scoring by halves: 31-15, 64-44.

Third Place
Sun Palace 74 — Morales 39, Tenorio 13, Factor 8, Podziewski 5, Kim 5, Hinson 4.
Kanoa Resort 70 — Deleon Guerrero 25, Yun 12, Ellama 11, Gamab 10, Kiser 6, Tenorio 6.
Scoring by halves: 32-39, 74-70.