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Sonics march into semifinals
The Sonics’ J.P. Villanueva challenges the defense of Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Jethro Cruz during their regular season game in the U21 division of the BANMI youth caging last month at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
The Sonics, who finished the round-robin regular season with an eight-game winning streak after dropping the opener to top finisher Ol’Aces to gain the second seeding in the playoffs, gave KFC no room for an upset, dominating the match from start to finish.
A 25-11 scoring in the first quarter was all the Sonics needed to take control of the game, as the more seasoned and deeper bench of coach Jesse Tudela proved too much to handle for the young crew of KFC coach Jun Alipio.
Four Sonics scored more than one basket in their strong start, while only Tristan Montes hit multiple shots for KFC, drilling 6 points. Wingman Jaymark De Guzman and shooting guard Sean Rabasto combined for 15 points for Sonics, as they outgunned the entire KFC in the first canto.
In the second quarter, the Sonics pulled away further as Montes gone cold and KFC converted only two baskets and had only 10 points. Only Jethro Cruz nailed a field goal for KFC, while the Sonics continued to get contributions from their starters and bench players to erect a 37-21 halftime advantage.
KFC never made headway in the second half to kiss their finals bid goodbye, while the Sonics advanced to the semis and will play the winner of the Kagman Sparks-Runnin’ Rebels tiff in the first Final Four match on Dec. 11 at 5:30pm.
The Sparks and Runnin’ Rebels will collide for the third semis ticket this Monday at 1pm, while the G-Rollers and Dream Team will battle for the last Final Four berth at 3pm. The Ol’Aces and last playoff qualifier Laly 4 were squaring off for the second semis seat last night and results of their game were unavailable at press time.
The last two teams left standing in the single-elimination playoffs will duke it out for the U21 championship next Saturday at 3pm.
Meanwhile, the playoff round in the U18 division started last night with KFC facing Dough Boys. The division also has a single-elimination format in the playoffs. Other first round pairings are San Jose Ol’Aces vs Rollers B (Dec. 5); Chalan Kanoa Saints vs Ol’Aces (Dec. 8)l and DYS vs G-Rollers (Dec. 8). Semis matches are set for Dec. 9, while the finals is slated for Dec. 13 at 11:30am.
Sonics 79–De Guzman 15, Fidelino 12, Rabasto 11, Espinosa 10, Flores 9, J.P. Villanueva 7, Feria 2, Alegre 2.
KFC 49–Montes 12, Cruz 9, Deocares 6, Pamintuan 4, Gunnacao 3, Cristobal 3, Ogasawara 1.
Scoring by quarters: 25-11, 37-21, 49-29, 79-49.
