Sonics, Rollers 1 rout opponents

The 670 Sonics’ Gerald Flores goes up for a shot against a phalanx of Ol’Aces defenders during the first half of their game in the U19 division of the 2014 Tan Holdings Basketball Classic at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Rollers 1 played in the curtain-raiser and whipped Kagman, 77-56, while the Sonics suited up in the last match of the night and crushed the Ol’Aces. 68-36. Armatech and IT&E dueled in the second and lone match in the women’s open division with the former also bagging an easy win, 54-29.

In the first game, Rollers 1 outclassed Kagman in the second half with Mike Espinosa and Jun Fidelino teaming up in the breakaway. The two players scored 9 points apiece in the second half, turning a slim 39-37 first half advantage to a 21-point winning margin.

Rollers 1 held on to the 2-point cushion after the first 20 minutes of play, thanks to Kobee Mendoza, who drilled the team’s last 6 markers. Mendoza went on to top-score for Rollers 1 with his 15, while Fidelino added 12, and Espinosa and Mike Arciaga chipped in 11 apiece.

Jesse Santos led Kagman with his 18 points, but was limited to two field goals in the second half. Kagman had a depleted crew against the complete roster of Rollers 1 with the former fielding only five players in its debut game.

In the other U19 pairing, the Sonics controlled the match right at the opening tiff and were never threatened.

The Sonics built an early double-digit spread at the break, 30-14, with four of their players scoring at least 5 points each.

Emerson Feria and Jomac Manzano paced the Sonics with their 14 points each, while Jack Aranda and Jaymark De Guzman also finished in twin digits with 11 apiece. Tristan Montes was the lone double figure scorer for the Ol’Aces, nailing 12.

In the only women’s division game, Armatech duplicated Rollers 1 and Sonics’ lopsided wins after holding IT&E to four field goals and 9 points in the first half.

Armatech’s Chevy Kate Alipio outgunned the entire IT&E crew in the first half, as she scored 11 points and lifted her team to a commanding 25-9 halftime lead.

IT&E never made headway in the second half, failing to cut the deficit to a decent number, as only Kyla Ito and Madeleine Alegre hit multiple baskets for the team.

First Game
Rollers 1 77–Mendoza 15, Fidelino 12, Arciaga 11, Espinosa 11, Camacho 9, Factor 7, Malonzo 5, Vivero 2, De Leon 2.

Kagman 56–Je. Santos 18, Yu 14, Jo. Santos 9, Lampkin 9, Palino 6.

Scoring by halves: 39-37, 77-56.

Second Game
Armatech 54–Alipio 20, Pagarao 9, Alferos 8, Castillo 5, Mettao 4, Fleming 4, Abrams 2.

IT&E 29–Ito 12, Alegre 7, Manibusan 3, Flores 2, Lopez 2, Deleon Guerrero 1.

Scoring by halves: 25-9, 54-29.

Third Game
Sonics 68–Feria 14, Manzano 14, Aranda 11, De Guzman 11, Alegre 9, Flores 6, Villanueva 2, Javier 2.

Ol’Aces 36–Montes 12, Nakashima 5, Leowel Cristobal 5, Leonard Cristobal 4, Moses 3, Castillo 3, Ermitanio 2, Miller 2.

Scoring by halves: 30-14, 68-36.