Sonics get second straight win

The Sonics weathered a third-quarter storm to top KB Market, 84-71, during their open division match in the 2015 San Antonio Community Action Network Basketball League last Monday at the San Antonio court.

The Sonics’ Erick Dela Rosa, middle, stretches for a layup against KB Market’s Ryan Manglona, left, and the late help defense of Christian Devero, right, during the fourth quarter of their game in the open division of the San Antonio caging last Monday at the San Antonio court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Sonics squandered a double-digit lead in the third quarter, but recovered in the closing minutes of that period and then played no let up in the fourth canto to bag their second consecutive win in three games.

Ahead by 12, 50-38, midway in the third frame, the Jesse Tudela-coached Sonics saw their lead trimmed to 3, 52-49, going into the final two minutes of the penultimate canto. Lerio Pagarao brought KB Market back in the game after scoring the team’s last 8 points in that quarter. Preston Basa registered the 3 other points in KB Market’s 11-2 surge.

Sensing trouble, Tudela called a timeout and when the game resumed, the Sonics responded with a 6-0 windup off Eric Dela Rosa’s two layups and Chico Bondoc’s short jumper to regain a safe distance against KB Market, entering the fourth period.

Jaymark De Guzman then opened the payoff canto with back-to-back baskets to widen the gap and the Sonics were never threatened from thereon, as the closest that KB Market could get was within 7 points, 71-78, after Basa nailed a triple, down to the final 1:35 in the game.

KB Market fell short in its comeback bid, as it failed to find the right combination on the floor in the fourth quarter. Players went in and out of the court often and they could not find their rhythm. KB Market also had too many one-on-one plays, while the Sonics showcased unselfish basketball in the majority of the match.

With the Sonics’ balance offense, four of their players broke into double figures and three more scored at least two baskets each. De Guzman had a game-high 21 points, while Gerald Flores added 17 and Melvin Cadiang and Bondoc contributed 12 and 11, respectively.

Pagarao and Matt Duenas were the only two double-figure scorers for KB Market, firing 20 and 16, while Leo Galarse had a quiet 9 points and was a non-factor in the second half. Ivan Devero also struggled offensively, making only 7 markers and missing all his shots in the fourth canto. KB Market is still winless after two games.

Meanwhile, GMJ/IKKI cruised past the debuting Armatech, 97-48.

GMJ/IKKI got off to a jackrabbit start, leading at 31-7 after the first quarter to demolish Armatech.

Joshua Melendez had another 20-plus output in the victory, tallying 24. He had 21 in GMJ/IKKI’s 71-70 win against Pacman in their opening game.

With GMJ/IKKI’s 2-0 record, it now holds the solo lead in the West Group of the open division.

First Game
GMJ/IKKI 97 – Melendez 28, Ferrer 11, Cortez 10, Barrios 9, Oyola 8, T. Montes 6, Camacho 6, Villanueva 6, Mangali 6, Villacrusis 3, Saplan 2, Dizon 2.

Armatech 48 – Moreno 14, Asuhan 13, Tolosa 8, Diesta 6, Canedo 3, Malasarte 2, Crisostomo 2.

Scoring by quarters: 31-7, 48-21, 75-35, 97-48.

Second Game
Sonics 84 – De Guzman 21, Flores 17, Cadiang 12, Bondoc 11, Dela Rosa 8, Tekopua 6, Fidelino 4, Sto. Domingo 3, Hernandez 2.

KB Market 71 – Pagarao 20, Duenas 16, Galarse 9, Basa 9, I. Devero 7, Aquino 5, Santos 2, C. Devero 2, Mateo 2.

Scoring by quarters: 22-12, 39-34, 58-49, 84-71.