Sonics vs Ol’Aces Elite in U15 finals

The 670 Sonics/PHI’s Adonis Favor towers above DYS/NMI Rollers defenders and his teammates en route to making one of his four straight baskets in the first half of the semis game in the boys U15 division of the Diaz youth caging last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The 670 Sonics/PHI and Ol’Aces Elite will collide for the division title in the boys U15 of the 2017 Francisco M. Diaz Memorial Youth League following their convincing semis wins last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The 670 Sonics/PHI eased past DYS/NMI Rollers, 56-39, to take the first finals seat, while the Ol’Aces Elite also cruised to a 65-30 triumph over the Natibu Warriors in the other semis pairing to advance to the winner-take-all finale, which will be played this Saturday.

Both 670 Sonics/PHI and the Ol’Aces Elite established double-digit leads at the end of the first half to set up the easy victories. The Zachary Johnson-coached 670 Sonics/PHI was ahead by only a deuce, 20-18, down to the last six minutes and change of the first half when it stepped on the pedal and widened the gap, 30-19. Adonis Favor anchored the 10-1 rally, scoring 8 straight points in that spurt, while Khristian Itaas made the other field goal.

670 Sonics/PHI then scored only one free throw after that surge, but the team still led by twin digits by halftime, 31-21, as DYS/NMI Rollers nailed only one field goal from Sunjoon Tenorio and a split charity from Roger Valencia.

DYS/NMI Rollers never recovered from thereon, as only Tenorio consistently hit baskets in streaks for the squad, while the 670 Sonics/PH had too many options on offense to keep its big lead.

Favor paced the 670 Sonics/PH’s semis win with his 11 points, while four of his teammates chipped in at least 6 points apiece and three more combined for 12. Tenorio led all scorers with his 18 points, while only three other DYS/NMI Rollers players made it to the squad’s box scores.

In the second Final Four tiff, the Ol’Aces Elite outgunned the Natibu Warriors in the first half, 24-9, and delivered the killer blows in the second behind the former’s balance offense to ease its way to the finals.

Ricco Saralu, Darrel Soriano, and Merrick Toves teamed up for 17 points in the Ol’Aces Elite’s first-half domination and the rest of their teammates gave their share in the second half en route to their 35-point victory.

Leo Naraja top-scored for the Ol’Aces Elite with his 11 points, while five of his teammates registered at least 6 points and four more completed the squad’s box score. Only five Natibu players made it to the board with Joel Norita and Aven Evangelista leading their team after recording 9 markers each.

First Game
670 Sonics/PHI 56 – Favor 11, Cadag 8, Itaas 7, Bayot 7, Ferrar 6, Francisco 4, Contreras 4, Bravo 4, Tabora 2, Sablan 1.

DYS/NMI Rollers 39 – Tenorio 18, Cruz 8, Valencia 8, Deal Cruz 5.

Scoring by halves: 31-21, 56-39.

Second Game
Ol’Aces Elite 65 – Naraja 11, Saralu 8, Kenty 8, Soriano 7, Laxa 6, Toves 6, Omelau 4, Menchor 4, Fleming 2, Elchico 2.

Natibu Warriors 30 – J. Norita 9, Evangelista 9, M. Norita 6, Cruz 4, Atalig 2.

Scoring by quarters: 24-9, 65-30.