670 Sonics search for elusive win in PH caging

Players and coaches of the 670 Sonics pose for a photo before their game in the Philippines last Friday. (Contributed Photo)

The 670 Sonics were off to a rough start in the 3rd Dreamers International Basketball Tournament as their U16 and U18 teams dropped their first two matches.

The 670 Sonics debuted against Guam’s George Washington High School in the U18 division game last Friday at the Batis Aramin Hotel & Resort in Quezon, Philippines with the latter prevailing in a close duel, 76-70.

The George Washington-670 Sonics tiff was pretty even in the first half with the Saipan-based team behind by only a hair, 27-28. The Omar Ajoste-coached 670 Sonics still kept George Washington within striking distance after the third period, as the Geckos were up by only 4, 51-47. Then in the fourth quarter, the 670 Sonics hung in there before Edmond Palacios and Dylan Trusso delivered keys baskets to lift George Washington to the 6-point win.

Palacios drilled 9 of his 14 points in the fourth canto, while Trusso had 6 of his team-high 21 in that period. Jude Tengco paced the Sonics with his 13 points, but he was held to one free throw in the fourth frame. Paulo Rafols added 11 markers.

Up next for the 670 Sonics was Mamba, which took a 78-68 victory after Ajoste’s wards had a fourth-quarter meltdown.

Behind by only a deuce entering the fourth canto, 58-60, the 670 Sonics was held to 10 points in the final frame—their lowest in a quarter. Kenji Abobo was the only 670 Sonics to score more than one field goal in the deciding canto en route to a 13-point performance. The 670 Sonics gunner also had six steals and seven rebounds. John Malasarte was the other double-figure scorer for the 670 Sonics with 10, but was limited to 2 markers in the final period.

Meanwhile, in the U16 division, the 670 Sonics bowed to Guam’s Okkodo High School last Thursday, 55-86, and fell to PYD Red last Friday, 112-65.

PYD Red toyed around with the defense of the 670 Sonics right in the first quarter to build a commanding 42-14 advantage. PYD sustained its good shooting in the second canto, adding 36 more points, while the 670 Sonics failed to counter.

Khristian Itaas led the 670 Sonics’ losing effort after scoring 22 points.

In their debut game last Thursday, the 670 Sonics also faced an early deficit and never recovered. Okkodo established a 25-11 advantage after the first quarter and kept its safe distance in the next three periods. Again, Itaas paced the 670 Sonics with his 21 markers, while five Okkodo players finished in twin digits for its easy win.