Kagman keeps unbeaten record

Kagman’s Andrew Palino goes for a fastbreak layup against Wong’s Deether Edralin during the fourth quarter of their U18 game in the Diaz youth caging last Monday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Kagman Risers gained two more wins to retain its perfect record in the U18 division of the Inaugural Frank M. Diaz Memorial Youth League.

The latest victory was the 96-22 thrashing of Wong last Monday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. The other one was recorded against Rollers White, 66-58, last Thursday. Kagman is unbeaten in four games.

Kagman passed an acid test against Rollers White—the best among the three teams Rollers Basketball Club is fielding in the league. Don Lizama helped Kagman make the grade against Rollers White after scoring the team’s last 6 points that sealed the win for the division leader

Lizama was one of the double-figure scorers in Kagman’s close victory over Rollers White, as he finished with a team-high 15 points. Melvin Sakisat and Mike Muna backed him up, adding 12 and 10, respectively.

The Kagman-Rollers White tiff was a seesaw battle with the former taking a 15-10 lead after the first period. Rollers White then grabbed the upper hand in the second canto, 29-28, thanks to Melvin Deocares’ 4 straight points to cap the first half.

In the second half, there were lead changes too before one basket apiece from Jethro Cruz and Kenji Abobo put Rollers White in front, 47-43, entering the final canto. However, Rollers White failed to protect its lead in the fourth frame, as it was held to only four field goals, while Lizama stepped up in the homestretch after letting his other teammates score early in the final period.

Meanwhile, in last Monday’s match, Kagman was in full control, punishing Wong with its pressured defense.

Kagman’s tight defense forced Wong to commit one error after another and the former turned those miscues into easy baskets to post the most lopsided win in the division. Five Kagman players scored in double figures in the lopsided victory with Sakisat leading the way with his 13 points. Muna added 12, while Joseph Maratita, Khalid Islam, and Lizama contributed 10 each.

In other results, the 670 Sonics showed no love lost to sister squad Junior Sonics after registering a 58-43 victory in last Friday’s match.

Djay Ong paced the 670 Sonics, firing 15 points, while Patrick Salalila and Jeffrey Castro provided enough support, tallying 12 and 10 markers, respectively. Ronnie Sto. Domingo had 12 markers to lead the Junior Sonics.