Sonics drew first blood in UFO caging

The Sonics/LIPS had a rousing start in the 2015 United Filipino Organization Basketball League after beating Gilas/MDX, 69-59, in their U20 division game last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Sonics’ Bryle Alegre goes up for a left-handed layup against Gilas’ Lawrence Diyco during the fourth quarter of their game in the U20 division of the UFO caging last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Jesse Tudela-coached Sonics won their first match in the opening day of the UFO league after turning on the heat early, building a double-digit spread at the end of the first period, 23-8. Five different players scored for the Sonics in the opening canto with new recruit Mii Tekopua leading the team with his 6 points.

Tekopua and the other tall players of the Sonics capitalized on their height advantage to get easy points in the paint against Gilas in the first period. Gilas, on the other hand, struggled offensively, as coach Jay Diyco’s players were still getting the feel of each other’s game. Majority of Gilas players are joining an organized league for the first time against the battle-tested Sonics.

Gilas picked up its scoring in the second period with Lawrence Diyco and Ronnie Sto. Domingo hitting successive baskets, but the Sonics still outgunned them, 21-18, to keep the twin-digit advantage at the break, 44-26. Again, the Sonics leaned on a balanced offense with seven players making it to the board to end the halftime with the 18-point lead.

The Sonics went on retain the double-figure spread in the second half despite converting only four field goals in the final quarter, which saw Gilas knocking in several outside shots to bring down the deficit to a decent number.

The Sonics settled for the 10-point win in the end after enjoying their biggest lead in the match at 26, 61-35, as they let their guards down midway in the fourth period with the victory already in the bag.

Tekopua paced the Sonics with his 12 points, while Bryl Alegre and Sean Rabasto chipped in 10 each. The six remaining Sonics players who saw action in the team’s debut game contributed at least 4 points apiece.

Sto. Domingo had a game-high 14 for Gilas, while Chico Bondoc was the other double-figure scorer for the team with his 10 markers.

Meanwhile, the other game in the opening of the UFO caging featured a Masters match-up between Blue Haus and Motion Auto. Results of the Masters game will be reported later this week.

Sonics/LIPS 69 – Tekopua 12, Alegre 10, Rabasto 10, Dela Rosa 9, Flores 8, De Guzman 6, Ogasawara 4, Javier 4, Ito 4.

Gilas/MDX 59 – Sto. Domingo 14, Bondoc 10, Igrobay 7, Diyco 7, Salalila 6, Espinosa 4, Rivera 4, Aque 3, Raquepo 2, Esmundo 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-8, 44-26, 61-35, 69-59.