Sonics survive Armatech’s late rally

The Sonics withstood Armatech’s late rally to escape with a 74-69 victory in their U20 division game in the 2015 United Filipino Organization Basketball League last Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Sonics’ Jack Aranda pulls up for a shot and is fouled by Armatech’s Melvin Deocares during the fourth quarter of their U20 game in the UFO caging last Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Sonics went 3-for-4 from the foul line in the homestretch to foil Armatech’s bid for a come-from-behind win, while the latter muffed crucial charities and misses shots in succession in the closing minutes.

Armatech was down by as much as 21 points early in the third, 51-30, and was still behind by 10, 71-61, going into the last two minutes of the match when it made one final push to overhaul the Sonics’ lead. A quick 5-0 run off Kobee Mendoza’s drive and Jethro Cruz’s left corner triple moved Armatech within 5, 66-71, with still 1:25 left on the clock.

The Sonics fired blanks in their next offensive sets, regained possession after the leather hit an Armatech player in the loose ball play, but turned it over when Jack Aranda was pressured after the inbound play. However, Armatech failed to capitalize on the opportunities to move closer, as Cruz overshot his mark on a fastbreak layup and also faltered on a long jumper. Armatech kept possession, but Mendoza and Melvin Deocares’ shots went off the mark, too. Fortunately, for Deocares he drew a foul on Aranda and had a split to slice the deficit to 4, 67-71 34.4 seconds remaining in the game.

The Sonics sued for time to plan their inbound play, but committed another turnover when Jaymark De Guzman lost his dribble after getting the pass from Mii Tekopua. It was a double blackeye for De Guzman as he was also called for an advantage foul while trying to prevent Cruz from breaking away for a layup.

Luckily for De Guzman, Cruz bungled the important charities. Armatech retained possession due to De Guzman’s infraction and Mendoza got the two needed free throws as he was also fouled on his way to a layup, bringing the deficit down to a deuce, 69-71, 14.4 seconds left on the clock.

Still down with the clock ticking, Armatech fouled De Guzman right away after the inbound play and the gamble seemed to work as the Sonics wingman only made one free throw. He got the shooter’s bounce in his first try before missing the second one. There was a battle for the rebound with Mike Espinosa tapping the ball out to the wrong man, as the Sonics’ Sean Rabasto picked it up and Armatech was forced to give up another foul.

Rabasto canned both charities to make it a two-possession game and the Sonics marked Mendoza well in the last 6.8 seconds, not allowing the Armatech gunner an open look at the basket, to keep the 5-point winning margin. Mendoza was well covered that he was forced to swing the ball to Deocares, who pulled up for an airball at the buzzer.

Rabasto top-scored for the Sonics with his 18 points, while De Guzman chipped in 17. The Sonics swept the five regular season games, while Armatech played only its second match after winning its debut against Blue Haus early this month.

Meanwhile, LBT Appraisal went 2-0 after whipping the Old’Aces, 103-76, in the Masters division.

LBT peppered the depleted Old’Aces crew with triples to notch the easy win. Ed Pangelinan scored all his 21 points from downtown, while Rodney Catalla added four triples, and LBT got one each from three other players.

LBT was ahead by only 3 at the end of the first quarter, 20-17, before it started dominating the match in the second, nearly doubling the Old’Aces’ output, 27-14. Pangelinan knocked in three of his triples in the second-quarter breakaway.

First Game
LBT 103 – Pangelinan 21, Tabora 16, Catalla 12, Mungcal 10, Ocampo 8, Tiples 8, De Guzman 7, Alipio 6, Sampang 4, Cosino 3, Pineda 2.

Old’Aces 76 – Rangamar 28, Renguul 18, Ayuyu 17, Manabat 8, Fitial 4.

Scoring by quarters: 20-17, 47-33, 79-53, 103-76.

Second Game
Sonics 74 – Rabasto 18, De Guzman 17, Mariano 9, Dela Rosa 9, Aranda 7, Flores 6, Javier 2, Mii 2.

Armatech 69 – Mendoza 24, Cruz 14, Espinosa 7, Deocares 7, De Luna 6, Borromeo 4, Santos 2, Fidelino 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-15, 39-25, 59-40, 74-69.