Sonics XVI ousts Ol’Aces Elite

The 670 Sonics XVI’s Keanu Diaz drives baseline and faces two Ol’Aces Elite defenders during the fourth quarter of their playoff game in the boys U18 division of the Diaz youth caging last Friday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Sonics XVI withstood the Ol’Aces Elite’s late rally to pull off a 56-53 victory in their playoff game in the 2017 Francisco M. Diaz Memorial Youth League last Friday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Keanu Diaz drilled a short jumper with 30.4 seconds left in the match to give the Sonics XVI more breathing room after the Ol’Aces moved within a point, 53-54, and then his team challenged the latter’s two 3-point attempts to take the close win. With the victory, the Sonics XVI knocked out the Ol’Aces Elite and marched into the semifinals, joining pennant champion Ol’Aces and NMI/DYS Rollers.

The Ol’Aces Elite made the final push to avoid elimination in the last 1:34 of the match where the Sonics XVI was ahead, 54-48. A triple from Rikko Saralu cut the deficit to 3, 51-54, with 1:16 left in the match, while E.J. Abejo followed it up with a layup off another botched Sonics XVI’s offensive set, leaving the latter clinging to a 54-53 lead, down to the last 36.2 ticks.

The Ol’Aces Elite had a chance to grab the upper hand after Jehp Ejercito missed a pair of charities. In the ensuing play, however Saralu after winning the battle for the long rebound lost the ball to the sideline, returning possession to the Sonics XVI.

The Sonics XVI sued for time to ease the tension in the game and when the match resumed, Sean Rafols caught the Ol’Aces Elite’s defense napping by issuing a quick pass to a cutting Diaz. However, Diaz missed the point-blank shot and players from the opposing teams fought for the rebound. Someone tapped the ball out and it landed at the hands of Diaz, who went back quickly on the court after muffing his attempt and this time knocked in the left baseline jumper, giving the Sonics XVI more cushion.

Saralu tried to get the two points back on the other end, but overshot the mark, while the Sonics XVI collared the rebound and went for a fastbreak play. However, Ejercito fumbled and did not finish, as he was hammered by Ol’Aces Elite defenders. A held ball was called and possession arrow was pointed to the Ol’Aces Elite, which was left with 12.3 seconds to pull up for a game-tying three.

The Ol’Aces Elite then used its last timeout to map out a crucial play and at the resumption of the match, Abejo unloaded a triple from the top key, but missed as he took it against the outstretched arms of two Sonics XVI players. After Abejo’s miss, John Ichihara got the offensive rebound and swung the ball to Saralu at the left key with the latter also faltering on his desperation three against two defenders as time expired, giving the Sonics XVI the win and the third semis berth.

Meanwhile, the Natibu Warriors and Sonics XVII dueled for the fourth and final semis ticket in the second game last Friday and results will be reported in Saipan Tribune’s Tuesday edition. The winner of the Natibu-Sonics XVII tiff will face the Ol’Aces in today’s first semis match at 5:30pm, while in the second Final Four pairing at 6:30pm, NMI/DYS Rollers will challenge the Sonics XVI.

Sonics XVI 56 – Rafols 16, Diaz 10, Ordona 7, De Guzman 6, Linaogo 6, Ruiz 5, Ejercito 2, Aoasan 2, Ibanez 2.

Ol’Aces Elite 53 – Saralu 21, Abejo 20, Agustin 5, Ichihara 5, Okaruru 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-24, 29-23, 39-33, 56-53.