Morales lifts Sun Palace past 670 Sonics XVIII

Sun Palace’s Christian Morales, center, drives against two 670 Sonics XVIII defenders during the second half of their game in the 2017 TanHoldings Christmas Basketball Tournament yesterday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Christian Morales toyed around with the defense of the 670 Sonics XVIII to lead Sun Palace to a 69-53 victory in the heated first game in the 2017 TanHoldings Christmas Basketball Tournament yesterday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Morales exploded for 47 points, making all kinds of shots and hitting them in streaks to hand Sun Palace the victory in the match marred by a lot of shoving and taunting from both camps. The last of those uncalled for reactions came in the final 34 seconds of the game and involved the 670 Sonics XVIII’ Jester Kintaro and Sun Palace’s Sunjoon Tenorio.

Tenorio gave up a hard foul on Kintaro, as the former chased down a shot from the latter underneath the basket. The 670 Sonics XVIII center fell hard on the floor and when he got up, he and Tenorio were engaged in a stare down. Kintaro then pushed Tenorio before game officials and other players from both teams stepped in to prevent further altercation. However, just when everybody thought the heated situation had cooled down, Kintaro picked up the ball and threw it toward Tenorio. Fortunately, Tenorio walked away and was escorted by his teammates to their bench, while 670 Sonics XVIII players also pacified Kintaro, who was eventually ejected from the game.

Morales knocked the technical free throw from Kintaro’s infraction, upping the lead of Sun Palace to 63-53. Sun Palace then completed its long-game domination by making two and-1 plays with the last one coming from Morales.

The former Hopwood Middle School student, who is based in Louisiana and is just on vacation here, scored 17 points in the first half to give Sun Palace a 32-18 lead. He was still unstoppable in the second half and had his longest scoring run in that period, drilling Sun Palace’s first 15 points to pad their lead.

With the victory, Sun Palace now has a 5-1 record and moved up to second place in the team standings behind M&M Salas Ol’Aces (6-0), while the 670 Sonics XVIII dropped to third with its 4-2 mark.

Meanwhile, the 670 Sonics XVII and Kanoa Resort won the two boys division games last Saturday.

The 670 Sonics XVII outclassed Saipan Vegas Extreme, 65-53. The 670 Sonics XVII gained only its second triumph in six games and is likely to miss the semifinals, while Saipan Vegas Extreme is winless in six matches.

Darren Ejercito top-scored for the 670 Sonics XVII with his 17 points, while Raven Francisco added 10.

Kanoa Resort improved its record to 4-2 following a 59-51 win over Saipan Vegas Elite (1-5).
Warren Ellama led Kanoa Resort’s victory with his 15 points.

Sun Palace 69 — Morales 47, Factor 10, Hahn 3, Tenorio 2, Podziewski 2, Kim 2, Galarion 2.
670 Sonics XVIII 53 — Itaas 12, De Guzman 11, Tengco 8, Rafols 8, Manansala 4, Cobacha 3, Diaz 2, Ordona 2, Kapileo 1.
Scoring by halves: 32-18, 69-53.