Ol’Aces notch solo lead in U21 division

The Ol’Aces’ Mike San Nicolas towers above Kagman Sparks’ Jason Lampkin, left, and Allan Yu, as he attempts a point-blanked shot in the third quarter of their U21 division game in the BANMI youth caging last Friday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Ol’Aces went on a 22-5 tear in the last 7:02 of the fourth quarter to win the battle of unbeaten teams and get the solo lead with their 3-0 record. Kagman had its two-game winning run snap, as it failed to complete a fourth-quarter fightback and was held scoreless for about six minutes.

The fourth canto started with the Ol’Aces ahead by nine, 51-42, and the advantaged was stretched to 12 with Sam Darag opening the final canto with a triple. However, the Ol’Aces eventually lost the double-digit lead, as Allan Yu sparked Kagman’s 8-0 rally, drilling three straight baskets. Jonathan Santos scored the other field goal, moving the Sparks within four, 50-54, 7:02.

Threatened, Ol’Aces coach Preston Basa pressed the panic button and after the much-needed timeout, his crew responded with a killer 22-5 scoring spree, which Kobee Mendoza kicked off with five straight points off a triple and a layup. The rest of Mendoza’s teammates also piled up points in the succeeding minutes, while Kagman missed one shot after another and despite the drought did not call a time out to restore order back to the team.

Kagman finally ended its silence at the 59.6 seconds mark of the fourth canto with James Schroeder making a pair of free throws, which were already useless, as the Ol’Aces had the game in the bag, ahead by 18, 70-52.

Mendoza top-scored for the Ol’Aces with his 12 points, while Mark Babauta and Mike San Nicolas chipped in 10 apiece.

Meanwhile, in the other U21 game last week, the Sonics pummeled Laly 4, 109-32, last Wednesday.

With the rout, the Sonics gained a 2-1 record to share the second spot with the Kagman Sparks, while Laly 4 remained winless in three games.

The Sonics made progress in each quarter to secure the biggest winning margin so far in the youth league. It took an 11- point lead after the first period, 18-7, and increased the advantage to 24 at halftime after a 26-13 scoring spurt in the second canto. Despite the huge lead, the Sonics showed no mercy, exploding for 35 and 30 markers in the last two quarters.

Emerson Feria and Jaymark De Guzman combined for 48 points to tow the Sonics to the easy win and outgun the entire Laly 4 crew.

WEDNESDAY
Sonics 109 – Feria 25, De Guzman 23, Je. Villanueva 14, Flores 14, Palacios 14, Aranda 13, Javier 5.

Laly 4 32 – D. Olopai 12, E. Lisua 8, Rogolifoi 4, S. Kapileo 2, Tawanpiy 2, B. Lisua 4.

Scoring by quarters: 18-7, 44-20, 79-22, 109-32.

FRIDAY
Ol’Aces 72 – Mendoza 12, Babauta 10, San Nicolas 10, Sanchez 9, Borja 7, Darag 6, De Leon 6, Cristobal 3, Francisco 3.

Kagman 55 – Yu 16, Jo. Santos 15, Je. Santos 6, Lampkin 6, Malwelbug 6, Schroeder 4, Palino 4.

Scoring by quarters: 21-16, 37-30, 51-42, 72-55.