DYS upsets Docomo Rollers in finals

The DYS Rollers stunned the top-ranked Docomo Rollers, 45-43, to claim top honors in the U15 division of the Rollers Basketball Club’s 2nd Annual IT&E Youth Friendly Christmas Tournament held at the Garapan Basketball Court.

Docomo came into the finals undefeated, but laid an egg in Friday’s main event and fell to the Department of Youth Services-sponsored squad. The victory allowed DYS to avenge its tough 47-50 loss to Docomo in last week’s opening rounds. The champion team is made of Shaun Acopiado, Jeron Ano, Justin Cayading, Ed Cudia, Mikey Fidelino, Renan Lansang, Regis Perez, Deion Sabino, and Keolani Rios.

Docomo looked out of sync right from the tip off, allowing DYS to build a healthy 29-20 lead at halftime. Docomo committed a lot of unforced errors and DYS’ tough defense prevented the former from penetrating the lane.

On offense, Lansang carried the torch for DYS in the first half with eight points and received mixed support from his teammates. DYS also converted four late free throws to end the half comfortably ahead.

Docomo battled its way back to within a point, 39-40, with four minutes left in regulation, but could not pull it together in the end. Emerson Feria missed a pair of free throws, but redeemed himself shortly after to tie it up at 40-all. However, Docomo’s defense failed to stop Lansang, who answered with another go-ahead basket. Docomo had plenty of opportunities right under the basket to seize control of the game, but simply could not get the ball to go in.

Feria trooped to the foul line and nailed both shots to make it a one-point contest in the final minute, but DYS’s Lansang answered with a cheeky and-1 play to seal the deal. Lansang missed the bonus shot, but it did not matter because Docomo could not secure the ensuing rebound and ran out of time.

Lansang led DYS with 17 markers and was awarded MVP honors for the U15 division for his standout performance. Perez and Cayading combined for 17 points to support Lansang.

Notably, DYS’ finals appearance was quite a surprise, too, as it also upset second-ranked Proa-B in the semis.

Meanwhile, RBC’s U12 and U17 Rollers AA were also victorious in the weekend’s championship matches.

On Friday, U12’s Rollers AA defeated Rollers A twice coming into the finals and did not disappoint on the big stage, 26-20.

Rollers A stepped up its game and forced a 10-all deadlock after the opening 16 minutes and the match continued back and forth after the pause until Rollers AA caught a surge late in the second half and held on for the win.

U12’s Rollers AA team is made up of Angelo and T.J. Factor, Jonas Metran, John Tam, Roger Valencia, Yukki Yoshida, and Alfred Zamuel.

Angelo Factor was selected as U12 division MVP. Factor led all scorers with 12 points and received eight from his partner in crime, Valencia.

Christian Itaas carried Rollers A’s with 10 points, while Ethan Kwon chipped in eight.

In the U17 finals, Rollers AA crew bested Rollers A, 57-50, last Saturday.

U17’s Rollers AA is made up of Jack Aranda, John Carlo Darag, David Diaz, Erick Dela Rosa, Kiyoshi Rios, Lawrence Deleon Guerrero, Ralph Francisco, and Albert Salas.

Rollers AA amassed a promising 32-7 margin in the first half and fended off a Rollers A big rally to secure the win.

Francisco led Rollers AA with 10 points in the opening frame and finished with a team-high 19, however his teammate, John Carlo Darag, was selected as MVP because of th latter’s tremendous defensive performance in the early charge. Darag also finished with 18 markers.

Rollers A’s Dixon Kwon scrambled for 19 points, 18 of which came in the second half comeback attempt.

Team trophies were awarded to the Top 2 finishers in each division. In addition, RBC awarded various gift certificates as special prizes to Cudia, Malonzo, Pangelinan and Rios member-families in gratitude for their continued support of the club.