Vibes steals win from Ol’Aces 2

Vibes’ Douglas Schmidt, left, uses a pick from teammate Ariel Urbano to dribble out of trouble, but still faces Ol’Aces 2’s N-Nes Siech during the closing minutes of their game in the U25 division of the TanHoldings holiday caging last Monday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Vibes grabbed a victory from the Ol’Aces 2, 69-66, during their U25 division game in the 2016 TanHoldings Christmas Basketball Tournament last Monday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Matt Duenas canned a backbreaking triple, while Ted Vivero hit insurance free throws to hand the win to Vibes, which trailed by 5 points, 58-63, going into the last two minutes of the match.

Vibes started the comeback by making six charities—three from Jesse Santos, one from Franklin Macahito, and two from Matt—against the 3 points of the Ol’Aces (a field goal from Troy Ngirarois and split free throw from R.J. Paragados).

Matt, who went 1-for-2 in his first two trips at the foul line in the last two minutes, drilled his third attempt to move Vibes within 2 points, 64-66, with 34.6 seconds remaining in the game. He muffed his fourth, while the Ol’Aces 2’s Paragados took the rebound. Paragados then dribbled past three Vibes defenders and crossed midcourt, however, when he made the turn, Duenas slightly tapped the ball away and the former eventually lost possession.

Ariel Urbano picked up the loose ball and found Santos open at the corner, but the latter was gun shy and opted to kick the ball out to Duenas, who did not hesitate and popped for a triple from the left key. His shot hitting nothing but the bottom of the net and gave Vibes the lead, 67-66, 21.9 seconds to go in the match.

The Ol’Aces 2 went for a quick inbound and Ngirarois unloaded a wide-open triple, but faltered. Vibes got the rebound and the Ol’Aces 2 was forced to give up a preemptive foul that sent Vivero to the stripe. Vivero went on to hit 2-for-2 from the 15-foot line for his only baskets in the game and Vibes stretched the lead to 3, 69-66, 6.1 ticks left in the final canto.

The Ol’Aces 2 sued for time and needed a triple to send the game into overtime, but failed to do so. The Ol’Aces did not even had a chance to make an attempt, as N-Nes Siech dribbled longer than instructed and when he decided to pass the ball to Jeffrey Castro, who was waiting for the throw at the right corner, time has nearly ran out. Siech eventually threw a wild pass and the ball went out as time expired.

Meanwhile, the 670 Sonics and IT&E cruised to victories in their respective games.

In the boys U16 division, the 670 Sonics topped Rollers 2, 54-24. The 670 Sonics now has a 4-0 record to tie idle Rollers 1 for first place in the team standings, while Rollers 2 has yet to win after three games.

In the women’s division, IT&E got its first victory in two matches following a 32-11 triumph over Sun Palace (1-1).

U16 DIVISION
670 Sonics 54 – Itaas 15, Ordona 11, Kintaro 10, Apasan 7, Cadag 3, Sabangan 3, De Guzman 2.

Rollers 2 24 – Je. Agulto 10, T. Factor 3, Duenas 3, Fitial 2, Ja. Agulto 2, A. Agulto 2, J. Factor 2.

Scoring by halves: 23-13, 54-24.

WOMEN’S DIVISION
IT&E 32 – Reyes 12, Tam 6, Flores 6, Travilla 2, Manibusan 2, Villagomez 2, Borja 2.

Sun Palace 11 – Pablo 5, Santos 4, Pena 2.

Scoring by halves: 16-1, 32-11.

U25 DIVISION
Vibes 69 – Schmidt 18, Duenas 13, Deleon Guerrero 9, Santos 7, Macahito 5, Gamab 4, Vivero 3, Urbano 3, Eubanks 2, Tudela 2.

Ol’Aces 2 66 – Castillo 14, Castro 8, Siech 8, Paragados 7, Norita 4, Olopai 4, Blake 4, Ngirarois 4.

Scoring by halves: 31-28, 69-66.