Ol’Aces dominate Dough Boys, 64-47

The Ol’Aces ended their regular season campaign in the 2014 BANMI Youth League on a winning note after topping Dough Boys, 64-47, in the U18 division game last Thursday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Ol’Aces finished the round-robin regular season with a 3-5 record, while Dough Boys dropped to a 2-5 card with one game left (against the Rollers A). The final standings of the U18 division have yet to be released, but unofficial records show Tinian leading the field with an unbeaten 8-0 mark, followed by Division of Youth Services (6-2), Chalan Kanoa Saints (5-3), Kentucky Fried Chicken (4-5), Ol’Aces, Rollers A (3-4), Dough Boys, and Rollers B (1-7). All eight teams will advance to the playoffs, which will begin next month once the Rollers A and B squads are back from the tournament in Guam.

The Ol’Aces’ Leowell Cristobal uses his left arm to protect the ball against the defense of KFC’s John Darag during an earlier game in the U18 division of the BANMI youth league last week at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

A fourth-quarter assault allowed the Ol’Aces to cruise past Dough Boys. Ahead by only five at the end of the third period, 40-35, the Ol’Aces doubled-up Dough Boys in the fourth 24-12, for the 17-point winning margin.

Edmon Borja led the Ol’Aces’ fourth-quarter breakaway, scoring 8 points in the final canto. Michael Laniyo and Miller combined for 10 more points, while three other Ol’Aces also hit the board in the payoff frame.

The Ol’Aces needed the push in the final quarter as they played so-so in the first half before making little hedway in the third canto. The Ol’Aces were held to single digit in scoring in the first period to face a 9-11 deficit. They were limited to three field goals in the opening quarter with only Gerald Castillo tallying more than 2 points for the squad.

Borja, who was scoreless in the first quarter, then found his rhythm in the second period, knocking in back-to-back triples to help the Ol’Aces grab the lead at halftime. However, the Ol’Aces led by only a hair, 23-22, as John Guerrero’s back-to-back baskets late in the second period kept Dough Boys afloat.

The Ol’Aces gained more cushion in the third, thanks to Cristobal’s 8 straight points midway in the quarter. Borja added 4 more markers in that period and finished Dough Boys off with his four field goals in the final frame.

Ol’Aces 64 – Borja 20, Cristobal 12, Miller 8, Laniyo 8, Kabiriel 6, Castillo 5.

Dough Boys 47 – Esmundo 14, Raquero 9, Guerrero 8, Bondoc 8, Camacho 4.

Scoring by quarters: 9-11, 23-22, 40-35, 64-47.