Ol’Aces, Sun Palace share lead

M&M Salas Ol’Aces’ Fred Peter is left open for a point-blank shot during the closing seconds of their game against Kanoa Resort in the 2017 TanHoldings Christmas Basketball Tournament yesterday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

M&M Salas Ol’Aces extended their streak to three after pounding Kanoa Resort, 98-46, in their boys division game in the 2017 TanHoldings Christmas Basketball Tournament yesterday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

The Ol’Aces were at it right at the opening buzzer to keep their perfect record and hand Kanoa Resort its first loss. With the easy victory, the Ol’Aces joined Sun Palace at the top of the team standings in the eight-squad field.

Aiferson Atan anchored the Ol’Aces’ balance offense after scoring 24 points. He hit his target early, firing 13 points in the first half, which ended with the Ol’Aces way ahead, 60-35. His teammates backed him up and the Ol’Aces completed the blowout in the second half.

Jedial Manalo also finished in twin digits for the Ol’Aces with his 17 points, while N-Nes Siech and Kevin Kabiriel registered 14 and 10, respectively. Three more Ol’Aces players combined for 20 markers to rout Kanoa Resort.

Meanwhile, in last Wednesday’s games results, Sun Palace also improved to a 3-0 record after whipping Saipan Vegas Elite, 66-49.

Christian Morales sizzled for 40 markers to power Sun Palace to a 17-point victory, while Angelo Factor and Dalton Dancoe chipped in 10 and 8, respectively.

Sun Palace pulled away in the second half, as Saipan Vegas Elite failed to contain Morales. The second frame started with Sun Palace ahead by only 6, 34-28, but the eventual winning team widened the gap when Morales dropped 20 more points in that period, including his squad’s last 12 markers.

In the girls division, the GSM Ol’Aces is also unbeaten in three games following a 54-18 demolition of Shirley’s Coffee Shop in the first game.

Alliyah Fernandez, Cassandra Camacho, and Eleina Santos teamed up in handing the GSM Ol’Aces the lopsided win as all three finished in twin digits. Fernandez had a game-high 18 point, while Camacho contributed 12, and Santos added 10.

The trio combined for 20 in the first half—more than doubling the output of the entire Shirley’s crew, to leave the GSM Ol’Aces with a commanding 24-8 advantage. Shirley’s never made headway in the second half, allowing the GSM Ol’Aces to extend its streak.

In the other girls division match, CTSI outclassed IT&E, 50-43.

Mary Kay Alferos led CTSI with her 14 points and drew enough support from her teammates with Angie Ito scoring 10 and Madi Alegre and Channel Espinosa logging 8 apiece. Jeraldine Castillo had 13 points in another losing effort for IT&E.

BOYS DIVISION
First Game
M&M Salas Ol’Aces 98 — Atan 24, Manalo 17, Siech 14, Kabiriel 10, Blake 8, Peter 7, Santos 7, Bondoc 6, Sacdalan 8.
Kanoa Resort 46 — Ellama 11, Deleon Guerrero 9, Muna 8, Yu 4, Kiser 2, Santos 2, Tenorio 2.
Scoring by halves: 60-35, 98-46.

Second Game
Sun Palace 66 — Morales 40, Factor 10, Dancoe 8, Tenorio 4, Kim 3, Santiago 2.
Saipan Vegas Elite 49 — Pangelinan 12, Ogasawara 12, Laxa 8, Deleon Guerrero 4, T. Quitugua 4, Elchico 4, N. Quitugua 2, Mungwaath 2.
Scoring by halves: 34-28, 66-49.

GIRLS DIVISION
First Game
GSM Ol’Aces 54 — Fernandez 18, Camacho 12, E. Santos 10, Pangelinan 6, A. Santos 4, Simran 2.
Shirley’s 18 — Jeralyn Castillo 8, Santos 4, Ballesteros 2, Vargas 2, Surima 2.
Scoring by halves: 24-8, 54-18.

Second Game
CTSI 50 — Alferos 14, Ito 10, Espinosa 8, Alegre 8, Pablo 4, Watanabe 4.
IT&E 41 — Jeraldine Castillo 13, Hemley 8, Ocampo 6, Garon 5, Marasigan 4, Olivos 3, Jerlyn Castillo 2.
Scoring by halves: 22-19, 50-43.