Rollers 2, Sun Palace take early lead

Rollers 1’s Dalton Dancoe is sandwiched by two Rollers 2 defenders during the first half of their game in the boys U19 division of the Tan Holdings holiday caging last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Rollers 2 and Sun Palace are on top of their respective divisions in the 2015 Tan Holdings Christmas Basketball Tournament after notching their second straight win last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Sun Palace moved up to 2-0 following a 56-45 victory against Mt. Carmel School (1-1) in the first women’s division match, while Rollers 1 also went unbeaten in two games after a 68-40 rout of Rollers 2 in the final game of the weekend.

Three Rollers 1 players broke into double figures to hand their team the easy win. Jun Alipio paced the division leader with his 14 points, while John Darag and Prince Factor chipped in 13 and 10, respectively. No Rollers 2 player scored in twin digits, as John Babauta only managed a team-high 6 markers. Rollers 2 was clearly no match to Rollers 1’s firepower and much experienced players.

The halftime scores in the Rollers 1-Rollers 2 tiff in the boys U19 division were not indicated in the official score sheets, but the former raced to an early 18-5 lead to take control of the match en route to another lopsided win. Rollers 1, during the league’s opening week last month, beat the Runnin’ Rebels in a similar convincing fashion, 67-55.

In the women’s division, Sun Palace played a balance offense to post an 11-point winning margin against Mt. Carmel.

Nine Sun Palace players made it to the board, while only five scored for the Lady Knights. Chevy Kate Alipio, who pumped in 22 markers in their 44-28 win over Lob City in the league’s opening week, again top-scored for her team, tallying 14. Ira Palero was the second Sun Palace player to hit double figures with her 12. Five other Sun Palace players combined for 24 points with Irish Pagarao, Jasmine Phan, Marie Javier, Gabrielle Race, and Diane Pablo drilling at least two baskets apiece. Pearl Santiago and Renita Fleming completed Sun Palace’s box score, adding 2 points each.

Jan Travilla paced Mt. Carmel with her 18 markers, while Karleen Reyes contributed 15. Tawny Manibusan (5), Janika Taimanao (4), and Quina Flores (3) were the only three other scorers for the Lady Knights.

Women’s
Sun Palace 56 – Alipio 14, Palero 12, Pagarao 6, Phan 5, Javier 5, Race 4, Pablo 4, Santiago 2, Fleming 2.

MCS 45 – Travilla 18, Reyes 15, Manibusan 5, Taimanao 4, Flores 3.

Boys U19
Rollers 1 68 – Alipio 14, Darag 13, Factor 10, Je. Cruz 8, Arciaga 7, Santos 6, Deocares 2, Dancoe 2, Ellama 2.

Rollers 2 40 – Babauta 6, Hudkins 5, Ogumoro 4, Arceo 4, Cobacha 3, Dela Cruz 3, Abobo 3, Tengco 3, Factor 2.