Kagman, G-Rollers triumph in U21 division

The Kagman Sparks’ Allan Yu goes up for an uncontested shot during their game against the Ol’Aces in the U21 division of the BANMI youth league last week at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Kagman weathered KFC’s third-quarter storm to pull off a 64-59 win in last Friday’s U21 pairing, while G-Rollers barged into the win column, following a 73-68 victory over Dream Team (1-2) last Monday. Kagman now has a 3-1 record to tie the Sonics in second place, just one win behind the unbeaten Ol’Aces, who were gunning for their fourth win in as many games against KFC (2-3) last night. The G-Rollers moved out of the cellar with their 1-3 card. Star Magic (1-2) and Laly 4 (0-3) complete the eight-team field.

The Sparks retained a spot in the top half of the team standings after bouncing back from a 9-point production in the third period. The third canto began with Kagman clinging to a 47-45 lead after KFC fought its way back from a double-digit deficit at halftime. June Alipio and Art Borromeo teamed up in KFC’s rally, turning a 27-38 deficit to just two after combining for 11 points in the third frame.

However, the duo failed to sustain their momentum in the fourth to complete KFC’s recovery, as Alipio went scoreless, while Borromeo was held to 2 points. Kagman, on the other hand, regained its form and drew points from every player it fielded in the game to avoid the second half collapse and get back on track after dropping its third game of the season against the Ol’Aces, 55-72.

Jonathan Santos top-scored for Kagman with his 17 points, while Jason Lampkin and Jessie Santos added 10 each. Jonathan Gunncao led KFC with his 11 markers, but nailed only one field goal in the fourth frame.

In last Monday’s game, the G-Rollers played steady in the second half to hand Dream Team back-to-back losses.

The G-Rollers were just ahead by a hair at halftime, 36-35, after squandering a 19-10 advantage, but gained more cushion in the third, 55-45, with Mike Arciaga and Rainier Deleon Guerrero hitting their targets. Dream Team behind Shane Deleon Guerrero managed to cut the deficit to single digit in the fourth quarter, but Arciaga and company hung tough in the end to snap their three-game losing skid.

Arciaga and Rainier Deleon Guerrero finished with 20 points each for the G-Rollers, while Shane Deleon Guerrero had a game-high 22 markers.

FRIDAY
Kagman Sparks 64 – Jo. Santos 17, Lampkin 10, Je. Santos 10, Palino 8, Muna 6, Yu 3, Schroeder 3, Prado 2, Butters 2.

KFC 59 – Gunnacao 11, Cruz 9, Cristobal 7, Borromeo 7, Ogasawara 6, Montes 6, Alipio 6, Deocares 4.

Scoring by quarters: 22-8, 38-27, 47-45, 64-59.

MONDAY
G-Rollers 73 – R. De Leon Guerrero 20, Arciaga 20, L. Deleon Guerrero 9 , Malonzo 8, Babauta 6, Factor 4, Rios 3, Iglecias 2.

Dream Team 68 – Deleon Guerrero 22, Kwon 21, Sablan 9, Palacios 8, Ada 6, Camacho 3.

Scoring by quarters: 19-10, 36-35, 55-45, 73-68.