Ol’Aces complete regular season sweep

The Ol’Aces’ Wilfredo Francisco pulls up for a running jumper against the Kagman Sparks’ Allen Yu during an earlier U21 game in the BANMI youth caging at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Ol’Aces earned a 7-0 sweep after pulling off a come-from-behind win. They were behind after the third period, 51-54, but battled back after scoring 22 points—the team’s biggest output in a quarter—and holding Dream Team to 6 points and two field goals in the fourth quarter.

Kobee Mendoza and Ignacio Borja combined for 12 points to lead the Ol’Aces in the fourth-quarter turnaround. Jasper Yap, Karlo De Leon, and Wilfredo Franciso were the other scorers for the Ol’Aces in the fourth canto, while only three players made it to the board for Dream Team. Richard Ada hit a triple, Shane Deleon Guerrero tallied 2 points, and Dino Palacios added one free throw.

Mendoza paced the Ol’Aces with his 18 points, while Borja and De Leon chipped in 12. Jason Palacios led Dream Team with his 15 markers before turning cold in the fourth canto. Deleon Guerrero contributed 13, while Ada and Dixon Kwon logged 11 and 10, respectively.

Dream Team ran out of offensive options in the fourth quarter after dominating the second and third periods, as it suited up for the match with only six players. Dream Team finished the regular season with a 2-5 record and will be ranked fifth in the playoffs.

The Ol’Aces are the top seeds in the eight-team field, followed by the Sonics (6-1), Kagman Sparks (5-2), G-Rollers (3-4), Dream Team (2-5), Runnin’ Rebels (2-5), KFC (2-5), and Laly 4 (1-6).

The Sonics placed second in the team standings after winning their final game in the regular season against the Runnin’ Rebels, 70-56, last Monday night.

The Sonics, who ended the regular season with a six-game winning run after losing their debut against the Ol’Aces, started slow before completely dominating the Runnin’ Rebels in the second half.

A balanced scoring in the third period allowed the Sonics to produce their biggest output (26) and turn their 30-28 cushion to a 56-43 advantage, entering the final canto.

Emerson Feria paced the Sonics with his 11 points, while Erick Dela Rosa added 10. Six other Sonics players scored at least 4 points apiece, while Djay Ong had 19 to lead the Runnin’ Rebels.

Meanwhile, BANMI officials and representatives of each team will meet on Dec. 2 to decide the playoff format.

THURSDAY
Ol’Aces 73 – Mendoza 18, Borja 12, De Leon 12, Francisco 8, Yap 8, Olopai 7, Darag 5, Sanchez 3.

Dream Team 60 – J. Palacios 15, Deleon Guerrero 13, Ada 11, Kwon 10, D. Palacios 6, Kautz 5.

Scoring by quarters: 16-15, 36-41, 51-54, 73-60.

MONDAY
Sonics 70 – Feria 11, Dela Rosa 10, Fidelino 7, De Guzman 6, Flores 6, Aranda 6, Alegre 4, Javier 4, J.P. Villanueva 2, Espinosa 2.

Runnin’ Rebels 56 – Ong 19, Borja 9, Nakashima 9, Abobo 4, Ermitanio 4, Anderson 4, Kabiriel 2.

Scoring by quarters: 19-14, 30-28, 56-43, 70-56.