SJ Ol’Aces, KFC barge into semifinals

The San Jose Ol’Aces’ Ignacio Borja is fouled from behind by the Rollers B’s Angelo Factor during the fourth quarter of their U18 playoff game in the BANMI youth caging last Friday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

KFC bagged the first semis berth after downing Dough Boys last Thursday, 64-52, while the SJ Ol’Aces joined the former in the Final Four, following a 70-32 demolition of the Rollers B last Friday.

KFC cruised to the double-digit win after scoring its most points in the fourth quarter. The first semifinalist drained 21 points in the final period turning a 43-38 edge at the end of the third to the 12-point winning margin.

A balanced scoring in the fourth frame powered KFC past Dough Boys, as four of its players hit at least two baskets apiece. Big man Jun Javier fired 6 points, while Jethro Cruz added 5, and Art Borromeo and Dixon Kwon chipped in 4 each. Shane Deleon Guerrero tallied KFC’s 2 other points in the fourth period to finish with a game-high 16 markers. Javier also had 16 points.

With Javier and Deleon Guerrero alternately drilling baskets for KFC, the team managed to keep its distance with the hard fighting Dough Boys in the first two quarters, 19-15, 30-28. Dough Boys behind the successive baskets of Mii Tekopua remained in contention after the third frame, facing only a 5-point deficit. However, Dough Boys faded out in the fourth as Tekopua was held to 2 points and only Ronnie Sto. Domingo stepped up, while KFC drew contributions from multiple players.

In last Friday’s second playoff match, the top-ranked SJ Ol’Aces had the game in the bag right at the end of the first period after taking a 24-8 advantage against the cellar dweller and winless Rollers.

Ignacio Borja led the SJ Ol’Aces strong start, scoring 12 of his game-high 26 points in the opening period. Kobee Mendoza, Gareth Jumao-as, and Karlo De Leon then backed up Borja in the last three quarters, as the trio combined for 29 points and nearly matched the output of the entire Rollers B crew.

Meanwhile, the last two semis berths in the U18 division will be at stake today.

The Chalan Kanoa Saints and Ol’Aces will contest the third semis seat at 10am with the winner facing KFC in the semifinals, while the G-Rollers and DYS collide for the fourth and last semis spot at 11:30am with the victor meeting the SJ Ol’Aces. The semis matches are set for tomorrow.

THURSDAY
KFC 64–Deleon Guerrero 16, Javier 16, Kwon 13, Cruz 12, Borromeo 4, Darag 2, Feria 1.

Dough Boys 52–Tekopua 21, Sta. Domingo 10, Guerrero 8, Iba 4, Espinosa 4, Esmundo 4, Camacho 2.

Scoring by quarters: 19-15, 30-28, 43-38, 64-52.

FRIDAY
SJ Ol’Aces 70–Borja 26, Jumao-as 11, Mendoza 10, De Leon 8, Pangelinan 4, Epity 4, Cruz 3.

Rollers B 32–Ogumoro 12, Fejeran 7, Yu 6, Bucayo 4, Arceo 4, Pangilinan 3.

Scoring by quarters: 24-8, 46-14, 57-17, 70-32.