Dream Team ends skid, tops Rollers 5

Dream Team finally made it to the win column after outclassing Rollers 5, 54-45, in the curtain-raiser in the 2013 Sun Palace Christmas Basketball Tournament last Wednesday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Dream Team snapped its seven-game losing skid, while Rollers 5 is still searching for the elusive first win, dropping its ninth straight match.

Joy Pena led Dream Team’s first victory, as she scored 17 points. She broke into twin digits early in the first half, nailing 10 markers to give Dream a 24-19 halftime advantage. In the second half, Pena drew help from Irish Pagarao, who knocked in 10 of her 15 markers to ensure Dream Team’s 9-point victory.

Two other Dream Team players had double figures against Rollers 5 with Kyla Ito and Madeleine Alegre contributing 12 and 10, respectively. Rollers 5 got 16 markers each from Emmanuel Cobacha and Aaron Ogumoro.

FTMP 70, Rollers 4 60
In the second game, FTMP had a big second half en route to the 10-point win over Rollers 4.
The victory gave FTMP a two-win lead over Rollers 4, as the former improved to a 5-4 record against the latter’s 3-6 slate. FTMP and Rollers 4 are battling for the fourth and last semis spots, as Rollers 1 (8-1), Rollers 3 (8-2), and Rollers 2 (7-3) had already bagged the first three Final Four berths.

FTMP drew double figures from three players to beat Rollers 4. Tristan Montes had 14, while Kautong Omengkar and Dai Lixing chipped in 13 apiece. Montes nailed 12 of his 14 markers in the second half, which started with the opposing teams in a deadlock, 30-all. Omengkar added 6 markers in the second half, while Lixing scored 8 of FTMP’s last 9 points to extend the team’s winning run to three.

Rollers 3 65, Rollers 2 63
In the last game of the night, Rollers 3 eked out an overtime win over Rollers 2
Christian Morales had back-to-back baskets in overtime to help Rollers 3 nip Rollers 2. Kyle Rios also contributed in the extension period, making a triple, while Jethro Cruz and Wilfredo Francisco canned one free throw apiece.
Rollers 2, which led by 10 at the break, 39-29, had a meltdown in the second half and failed to save a win in overtime after nailing only three baskets in the extra period. Mike Espinosa had a triple before fouling out, while Ted Vivero and Kobe Mendoza added one field goal apiece.
With the close win, Rollers 2 moved up to second place behind Rollers 1, while Rollers 2 dropped to third.

First Game
Dream Team 54 – Pena 17, Pagarao 15, Ito 12, Alegre 10.
Rollers 5 45 – Cobacha 16, Ogumoro 16, Yu 9, Alonzo 2, Tengco 2.
Scoring by halves: 24-19, 54-45.

Second Game
FTMP 70 – Montes 14, Omengkar 13, Lixing 13, Aristores 9, Lampkin 6, Francisco 5, Sablan 3, Alcantara 2.
Rollers 4 60 – Kwon 28, Ellama 11, Sagun 7, Iba 3, Espinola 3, Deocares 2, Santos 2.
Scoring by halves: 30-30, 70-60.

Third Game
Rollers 3 65 – Morales 22, Rios 11, Cruz 9, De Luna 7, Factor 6, Francisco 6.
Rollers 2 63 – Espinosa 18, Capuyon 11, Fidelino 10, Mendoza 8, Darag 7, Vivero 4, Cenir 3.
Scoring by halves: 29-39, 56-56, 65-63 (OT).