Sonics eliminate Rollers 2

The 670 Sonics booted out Rollers 2 after posting an 88-62 win in the penultimate elimination round game in the boys U19 division of the 2014 Tan Holdings Basketball Classic last night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

The Sonics’ Emerson Feria muscles his way through the defense of Rollers 2 players during the closing minutes of their game in the 2014 Tan Holdings Basketball Classic yesterday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Sonics wrapped up the single elimination round with a 5-2 record for third place in the team standings behind early semifinalists Rollers 1 and Dream Team and will battle the latter for the seconds finals berth this Friday. Rollers 1 will fight the first finals seat against the winner of last night’s match between the Ol’Aces and Kagman Risers, which had similar 3-3 slated, pending results of their make-or-break tiff yesterday. Rollers 2 missed the playoffs as it fell to a 3-4 record and joined Sun Palace (1-6) and Rollers 3 (0-7) in the showers.

Despite losing by 25 points against the Sonics, Rollers 2 put up a gallant stand, launching repeated rallies in the second half to threaten its foe.

Down by 21 early in the final half, 27-48, Jun Alipio anchored a 10-0 spurt to cut the deficit to a manageable number. Alipio hit two triples in that rally, while Jethro Cruz added another triple, and Antonio Santos had a split free throw, moving Rollers 2 within 11, 48-27, with still 15:43 left in the game.

Two straight layups from Jaymark Dela Cruz off a twisting shot against the outstretched arms of Santos and a steal from Ken Abobo gave the Sonics more distance. However, Rollers 2 refused to give up, bringing the deficit to as low as 9 points three times, 51-60, 55-64, and 57-68.

On these three occasions, too, the Sonics withstood Rollers 2’ rallies by getting timely baskets from Jack Aranda, Bryle Alegre, and Sean Rabasto. Rabasto later hit a step-up triple to spark an 11-0 run that sealed the win for the Sonics after Rollers 2 threatened for the last time with Melvin Deocares’ triple cutting the lead to 10, 60-70.

The Sonics finished off Rollers 2 by making eight free throws in the homestretch, while the former was held to one field goal off Keon Rios’ layup in the final four minutes of the match. Rollers 2 took many triples in the closing minutes and muffed a bundle to miss a playoff stint.

Aranda paced the Sonics with his 16 points, while Rabasto and De Guzman added 14 and 13, respectively. Cruz led Rollers 2 with his 11 points.

Sonics 88–Aranda 16, Rabasto 14, De Guzman 13, Alegre 8, Feria 7, Manzano 7, Javier 4, Dela Rosa 4, Flores 4, Villanueva 2.

Rollers 2 62–Cruz 11, Dancoe 10, Deocares 10, Santos 10, Alipio 8, Rios 6, Ellama 6, Kwon 2.

Scoring by halves: 39-25, 88-61.