Ol’Aces, 670 Sonics XVIII/PHI win

The Ol’Aces’ Jeff Castro drives and draws a foul on Kagman Rollers’ Aaron Ogumoro during the second half of their boys U18 division game in the Diaz youth caging last Tuesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Ol’Aces and 670 Sonics XVIII/PHI topped their respective opponents in the boys U18 division of the 2017 Francisco M. Diaz Memorial Youth League this week at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The 670 Sonics XVIII/PHI routed the Natibu Warriors last Monday, 56-39, while the Ol’Aces outclassed the Kagman Rollers in last Wednesday’s match, 51-43.

The Ol’Aces built enough cushion in the first half to thwart Kagman’s repeated comeback bids in the final 20 minutes of play.

Greg Sablan, Jeff Castro, and Dean Blake combined for 18 points in the opening half to give the Ol’Aces a 35-24 lead at the break. When the game resumed, Kagman behind Aaron Ogumoro, Jelbert Quitugua, and Patrick Duenas made a little headway to trim the deficit to as low as 3 points midway in the second half. However, the Ol’Aces hung tough and kept their safe distance the rest of the way with Sablan and Castro providing the needed baskets for the winning team and Aiferson Atan putting the finishing touches in their victory after scoring the squad’s last 4 points.

Blake led the Ol’Aces with his 10 points and four of his teammates combined for 29 markers. Duenas paced Kagman with his 12 points.

Meanwhile, the 670 Sonics XVIII/PHI’s guns were loaded in the second half en route to a 17-point winning margin.

The second half of last Monday’s tiff began with the opposing teams in a deadlock before the 670 Sonics XVIII/PHI’s better shooting helped the squad pull away. Joshua Chavez led the breakaway, scoring 12 of his 14 points in that period, while Jerome Malasarte and Ronald Bernardo chipped in 6 points apiece.

Malasarte ended up top-scoring for the 670 Sonics XVIII/PHI with his 18 markers, while Henry Aguon had 12 on a losing effort for the Natibu Warriors.

Monday Game
Sonics XVIII/PHI 56 – Malasarte 18, Chavez 14, Bernardo 6, Aque 4, Bautista 4, Manansala 4, Paragados 2, Muna 2, Ejercito 2.

Natibu Warriors 39 – H. Aguon 12, M. Aguon 6, Kainoa 6, Fejeran 4, Garde 2, Torres 2, Omar 2, Malwelbug 2.

Scoring by halves: 27-27, 56-39.

Wednesday Game
Ol’Aces 51 – Blake 10, Sablan 8, Castro 8, Onopwy 5, Siech 4, Aiferson 4, Kabiriel 4, Manglona 2, Ngirarois 2, Bondoc 2, Santos 2.

Kagman 43 – Duenas 12, Ogumoro 8, Quitugua 8, Naputi 4, Agulto 4, Villagomez 2, Fabia 2, Babauta 2, Fitial 1.

Scoring by halves: 35-24, 51-43.