Rollers 1 and 2 triumph

Rollers 2’s Jay Art Palmes throws up a shot against two Ol’Aces 1 defenders during their boys U18 game in the 2019 TanHoldings Christmas Basketball Tournament last Monday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Rollers 1 showed no love lost to sister team Rollers 3, while Rollers 2 also prevailed in its boys U18 game in the 2019 TanHoldings Christmas Basketball Tournament last Sunday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Rollers 1 crushed Rollers 3 in the first match in the division, 79-39, while Rollers 2 nosed out the Ol’Aces 3 in the second game, 41-38. Rollers 1 now holds a 2-0 record for a share of the early lead with the Ol’Aces 1, while Rollers 2 owns a 1-1 mark, and Ol’Aces 3 fell to a 0-2 slate.

Koboy Mizutani scored 7 of his 9 points in the second half, including Rollers 2’s last basket that sealed the win for the team. Darren Pangelinan and Jay-Art Palmes also delivered baskets in the second half to keep Rollers 2 in front, as they combined for 7 markers.

Craig Padayao and D.K. Fiden had 14 and 12 points, respectively, in a losing effort for the Ol’Aces 3.

In the first game, Rollers 1 leaned on its veteran players to dominate Rollers 3. Ervin Villarin led Rollers 1 with his 17 points, while Steve King and Mikel Johnson also finished in twin digits, adding 10 each. Chioni Dela Cruz and Matthew Richardson logged 9 points apiece, while Gregory Deleon Guerrero registered 6 to complete Rollers 1’s balanced offense.

With its gunners in their usual form, Rollers 1 opened with a 41-20 halftime lead and was never threatened in the game to join the Ol’Aces 1 on top of the team standings.

Rollers 3 failed to make headway and absorbed its second loss in as many matches with only Rance Robert and Jun Agulto showing a steady offensive game. Robert top-scored for Rollers 3 with his 13 points, while Agulto chipped in 12. Allan Marillo added 8, but his baskets came when the game was already decided early in the second half, while the three other Rollers 3 players who scored in the lopsided match was held to one basket apiece.

Meanwhile, the 2019 TanHoldings Christmas Basketball Tournament will take a break for about two weeks to give way to repairs at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

First Game
Rollers 1 79—Villarin 17, King 10, Johnson 10, Dela Cruz 9, Richardson 9, Deleon Guerrero 6, Sablan 5, Santos 4, Atalig 4, Evangelista 3.
Rollers 3 39—Robert 13, Agulto 12, Marila 8, Pangelinan 2, Raquepo 2, Castro 2.
Scoring by halves: 41-20, 79-39.

Second Game
Rollers 2 41—Mizutani 9, Pangelinan 8, Palmes 7, Naraja 5, Cruz 4, Magno 4, Macaranas 2, Toves 2.
Ol’Aces 3 38—Padayao 14, Fiden 12, Desebel 3, Kaipat 3, Kapwich 2, Johnny 2.
Scoring by halves: 20-16, 41-38.