Sonics win; Ol’Aces rout Kanaka

The Ol’Aces’ Timmy Pangelinan escapes with a fastbreak layup against Kanaka during their U15 division game in the Diaz youth caging last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Sonics got a pair of wins in the Inaugural Frank M. Diaz Memorial Youth League, while the Ol’Aces notched their second victory last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Sonics topped Rollers Red, 36-32, in the lone U18 match last Monday, while the Junior Sonics outclassed TX Warriors, 46-35, in the first U15 game last Saturday. In the last U15 match in the opening week of the youth caging, the Ol’Aces eased past Kanaka, 78-18, for a fitting follow-up on their 57-55 debut win over Rollers last Friday.

Kristian Itaas paced the Sonics with his 15 points, while Mario Ordona chipped in 9, Henry Aguon led all scorers, firing 21 for the TX Warriors.

The Sonics and Warriors engaged in a close fight in the first half before the former gained control of the match in the third period after holding the latter to 2 points. The Sonics turned a 19-16 halftime lead to a 29-18 advantage after limiting the Warriors to a bucket in the penultimate frame. The Sonics never looked back from thereon.

In the other U15 match last weekend, the Ol’Aces caught fire early on, leading at 26-6 after the opening canto. Timmy Pangelinan, Rikko Saralu, and Dondi Ferrera hit double figures to tow the Ol’Aces to the lopsided win. Pangelinan and Saralu logged 12 points each, while Ferrera contributed 10. Six other Ol’Aces players scored in the rout, while only five made it to the board for Kanaka.

In the U18 game, the Junior Sonics leaned on their balance offense to pull off a 4-point win against Rollers Red.

Nine Junior Sonics players scored in the team’s debut with Mark Mintac leading the way with his 8 markers, including 4 of the squad’s last 6 points.

U15 DIVISION
First Game
Sonics 46 — Itaas 15, Ordona 9, Dionisio 4, Linaogo 4, Sabangan 4, Ben 2, Cadag 2.
TX Warriors 35 — Aguon 21, Sulap 4, Lifoifoi 4, Evangelista 4, Omar 2.
Scoring by quarters: 12-10, 19-16, 29-18, 46-35.

Third Game
Ol’Aces 78 — Pangelinan 12, Saralu 12, Ferrera 10, Atan 8, Maras 8, Sablan 6, Ngirarois 4, Soriano 4, Edrico 4.
Kanaka 18 — Lajava 6, Aiken 4, Kaipat 3, Blas 3, Norita 2.
Scoring by quarters: 26-6, 42-10, 54-14, 78-18.

U18 DIVISION
Junior Sonics 36 — Mintac 8, Sto. Domingo 6, Malsarte 6, Bondoc 5, Gaviola 4, Manansala 2, L. Diyco 2, Dionisio 2, Bait 1.
Rollers Red 32 — Deleon Guerrero 11, Yu 5, Muna 4, Quitugua 4, Mamaril 3, Toves 2.
Scoring by quarters: 9-14, 18-22, 28-28, 36-32.