Sonics, Sixers I set up semis showdown

Second seed Southern Sonics and No. 3 San Antonio Sixers I both had their way in the first round of the 2005 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League playoffs as both teams posted convincing victories Tuesday evening at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium to set-up one half of the semifinal pairings.

The Sonics, who won an impressive 11 out of 12 games this past regular season, conserved their energy in the first half and exploded in the second to advance with a 116-94 victory over the Matansa Sparks.

The Sparks kept close in the opening half as Jose Ulloa, Zack Diaz, and Kenneth Deleon Guerrero led a well-balanced attack to prevent the Sonics from blowing the game wide open.

The Sonics, meanwhile, were able to head into the break enjoying a 10-point cushion, 45-35. Scoring champion Rowell Aranda continued to impress as he worked his magic again and waxed hot for 25 points, while Lester Babauta connected on two long-range jumpers and added another field goal.

When action resumed, it was the Sonics’ terrible trio of Aranda, Babauta, and Jack Lizama who stole the show and pushed their team one step closer to accomplishing their goal.

The three combined to score the team’s first 18 points. Aranda ended up swooshing the net for another 17 points, Lizama caught fire for 16 points, and Babauta pumped in 11 points and the Sonics got solid contribution from the supporting cast as Leo Apelo and Mike Eclevia combined for another 17 points to eliminate the Sparks.

Diaz did all he could to make a game of it as he scored 17 points in the half, while James Camacho and Mario Patrinus worked hard for 14 and eight points in their final half of the season.

Aranda finished with a game-high 45 points, while Lizama and Babauta added 23 and 19 points.

Diaz and Camacho led the Sparks with 23 and 18 points, while Deleon Guerrero and Ulloa had 13 points apiece. Patrinus finished with 12 points.

Later, Kevin Cequena and his San Antonio Sixers I secured their semifinals ticket by running and gunning their way past the Chalan Kanoa Saints, 121-98.

The Saints were able to keep pace with their opponents early on, however, the Sixers used their speed and quickly worked up a double-digit lead before ending the first half with a 24-point spread, 70-46.

After trailing by about 20 points, the Saints made a strong run as Reyes brothers Luis and L.J. spearheaded an attack that eventually brought the deficit down to 10 points. L.J. connected on two triples, his second pulling the Saints closer at 42-52.

Cequena and Ajoste then took over and widened the gap again.

Cequena was the Sixers’ lethal weapon as he went off for 27 points. Manuel Ajoste also had a big half with successful drives that enabled him to have 15 points to his name, while Jason Bahillo had his perimeter jumpers working for 10 points.

The Sixers held their ground as they continued to run on all cylinders. Each time the Saints made a run, the Sixers I responded with one of their own.

Cequena and Ajoste led the Sixers I with 35 and 23 points, while Jon Lim and Bahillo supported them with 14 points apiece. Omar Ajoste also had 11 points.

Luis Reyes topped the Saints’ scoring with 35 points, while L.J. and Rick San Nicolas contributed 24 and 13 points.

First Game
Sonics 116 – Aranda 42, Lizama 23, Babauta 19, Apelo 9, Eclevia 8, Palacios 6, Kintz 6, Ferrer 3.
Sparks 94 – Diaz 23, Camacho 18, Ulloa 13, Deleon Guerrero 13, Patrinus 12, Salas 4, J. Iguel 4, Degracia 3, E. Iguel 2.
Scoring by halves: 45-35, 116-94.
Referees: Arnold Mesa and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game
Sixers I 121 – K. Cequena 35, M. Ajoste 23, Lim 14, Ja. Bahillo 14, O. Ajoste 11, Je. Bahillo 5, Limes 3.
Saints 98 – Luis Reyes 35, L.J. Reyes 24, San Nicolas 13, Luiz. Reyes 7, Manalo 5, G. Iglecias 4, D. Nedlic 3, Lizama 3, B. Iglecias 2, La. Reyes 2.
Scoeing by halves: 70-46, 121-98.
Referees: Arnold Mesa and Gilbert Espinosa.