Kagman Risers, Sonics win debuts

The Sonics and Kagman Risers made it to the win column in their first attempt after downing separate opponents in the 2016 Island-wide Men’s Basketball League last Thursday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Kagman dominated Run ‘N Gun in the second match, 71-54, while the Sonics outclassed CES Electronics in the curtain-raiser, 76-72.

The Sonics played a balance offense and withstood CES’ fourth-quarter rally to prevail in their debut and join opening day winners Ol’Aces and Ali’i on top of the team standings.

Four players scored in double figures for the Sonics with Erick Dela Rosa leading the team with his 19 points. Jack Aranda chipped in 17, Jaymark De Guzman contributed 15, and Sean Rabasto added 10. Mike Espinosa was just a deuce shy of hitting double figures after knocking in 8 markers.

CES, on the other hand, nearly had a one-man show in Syl Teregeyo, who sizzled for 26 markers. Teregeyo anchored CES’ comeback bid in the final canto, which began with the Sonics still on top by 12, 61-49. Matt Duenas provided some support to Teregeyo and was the only other twin-digit scorer for CES with his 14 markers. However, the 1-2 punch failed to complete the come-from-behind win as Aranda and Dela Rosa countered with some rally-halting baskets in the homestretch.

Aranda registered 9 points in the fourth canto, including the Sonics’s last 6 markers, while Dela Rosa chipped in 4 straight markers.

In the second game, the Kagman Risers led right at the opening tip, leaving Run ‘N Gun with a little chance to recover.

Quarterback Andrew Palino and wingman M.J. Sakisat teamed up in the victory, combining for nearly half of Kagman’s total points after posting 18 and 16 points, respectively.

First Game
Sonics 76 — Dela Rosa 19, Aranda 17, De Guzman 15, Rabasto 10, Espinosa 8, Rivera 4, Ito 2.
CES 72 — Teregeyo 26, Duenas 14, Rangamar 8, Norita 4, Lizama 4, Hernandez 4, Jaga 2, Andrew 2.
Scoring by quarters: 14-2, 314-12, 61-49, 76-72.

Second Game
Kagman 71 — Palino 18, Sakisat 16, Quan 10, Nakamura 7, Moses 4, Magofna 4, Jones 4, Rosario 4, Muna 4.
Run ‘N Gun 54 — Cristobal 11, Sablan 10, Corja 7, Atalig 6, Snech 4, Castillo 3, Kabiriel 2, Francisco 2, Iba 1.
Scoring by quarters: 24-12, 43-27, 59-40, 71-54.