Easy wins for Armatech, Ol’Aces

Armatech and the Ol’Aces nearly reached the century mark to ease past their respective opponents in the 2015 United Filipino Organization Basketball League last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Armatech’s James Abuy drives against Auto Motion’s Marlon Sison, left, and Joseph Galulu, partly hidden, during the second quarter of their Masters game in the UFO caging last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

In the Masters division, Armatech crushed Auto Motion, 95-68, while in the U20 division pairing, the Ol’Aces also notched a double-digit winning margin against Armatech, 96-83.

The Ol’Aces-Armatech tiff was the last game in the round-robin U20 division and they ended up in a triple tie for second place with Blue Haus after earning similar 2-2 records. The Sonics placed first with a perfect 4-0 mark, while Gilas finished last with its 0-4 slate.

In the Masters division, Armatech improved to a 2-1 record for third place in the team standings behind the unbeaten Blue Haus (0-3) and LBT Appraisal (3-1). Auto Motion dropped to fourth with its 2-2 card, followed by the Old’Aces (0-2) and Graphics/Star 6 BBQ (0-4).

Armatech got off to a jackrabbit start, more than doubling Auto Motion’s output in the first quarter, 33-14, to set up the lopsided win. James Abuy and Martin Moreno delivered the early knockout blows for Armatech, as they combined for 24 points in the first 10 minutes of play. Abuy drilled two triples midway in that opening period and wrapped up the quarter with 14 markers, while Moreno chipped in 10.

Bernard Montano then took over in the second canto, scoring 10 straight points in the closing minutes of the first half to lift Armatech to a commanding 55-33 advantage. Armatech never looked back, as Auto Motion failed to match the hot shooting of the former’s guards.

Moreno paced Armatech with his 26 points, while Abuy added 24, and Montano contributed 16. Big man Bruce Berline was the fourth Armatech player to score in twin digits with his 10 markers. Mico Usi led Auto Motion with his 21 points.

In the U20 game, the Ol’Aces also built an early double-figure lead against Armatech to bag their second victory.

Jon Santos dropped 14 of his 18 points in the first period to power the Ol’Aces to a 26-16 advantage. Jason Lampkin, Mike Muna, and Andrew Palino picked up the Ol’Aces scoring in the last three quarters to keep the team’s safe distance against the depleted Armatech, which had only five players for the nightcap.

First Game
Armatech 95 – Moreno 26, Abuy 24, Montano 16, Berline 10, Poquiz 7, Tobias 4, Malasarte 3, Tolentino 3, Gabaldon 2.

Auto Motion 68 – Usi 21, Yalung 11, Joson 11, Sison 10, Balgos 6, Galulu 4, Montes 3, Villanueva 2.

Scoring by quarters: 33-14, 55-33, 69-51, 95-68.

Second Game
Ol’Aces 96 – Lampkin 19, Jo. Santos 18, Muna 12, Je. Santos 13, Palino 10, Moises 8, Yu 8, Nakashima 8.

Armatech 83 – Cruz 29, Borromeo 21, Espinosa 16, De Luna 15, Cudia 2.

Scoring by quarters: 26-16, 52-38, 75-64, 96-83.