Lady Ol’Aces on top

The Lady Ol’Aces’ Cassandra Camacho pulls up for a shot against CTSI’s Nanaka Watanabe, right, and Mikki Kautz during the second half of their game in the 2019 TanHoldings Christmas Basketball Tournament at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Lady Ol’Aces triumphed over CTSI, 59-43, in a possible finals preview in the women’s division of the 2019 TanHoldings Christmas Basketball Tournament.

After winning their respective debuts in the tournament last weekend at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium, the Lady Ol’Aces and CTSI crossed paths early with the former showing who’s the boss after earning a double-digit winning margin in their duel last Monday.

The Lady Ol’Aces pulled away in the second half after an 8-0 scoring run in the first four minutes of the final frame. Lia Rangamar, who delivered the first two baskets for the Lady Ol’Aces, also kicked off the team’s offense in the second half with a short jumper, while Jaime Pangelinan, Cassandra Camacho, and Eleina Santos hit the next three field goals to turn a 24-18 halftime lead to a 32-18 advantage.

A layup from Nanaka Watanabe at the 15:50 mark gave CTSI it’s first basket in the second half, however, the losing squad failed to keep pace with the Lady Ol’Aces the rest of the way with its offense becoming too predictable. CTSI got most of its baskets from Watanabe, as Pagarao, who finished the first half with 13 points, was held to 3 markers in the second half. Mikki Kautz and Madeleine Alegre also had a lackluster showing against the Lady Ol’Aces, registering only 2 points apiece in the second half, while Patricia Echaves was the only other CTSI player who made more than one basket for their team inn the second half.

While CTSI relied heavily on Watanabe, the Lady Ol’Aces had too many options on offense and did not even need the presence of Santos—its main gunner—to finish the game. Cassandra Camacho’s 8 points and contributions from five more players were enough to hand the Lady Ol’Aces its second win in as many games for the solo lead in the four-team field.

Cassandra Camacho top-scored for the Lady Ol’Aces with her 14 markers, while Rangamar and Jamie Pangelinan added 11 and 10, respectively. Desrei Camacho tallied 9 points, while Shannese Aldan, and Vina Simram combined for 9 more markers. Nanaka matched Pagarao’s 15 points in a losing effort for CTSI.

Baby Ol’Aces 45, Lady Rollers 15
In the other women’s division match last Monday, the Baby Ol’Aces coasted past the Lady Rollers.
The Baby Ol’Aces got its first victory after bowing to CTSI, 44-46, during the league’s opening last Saturday.
The Baby Ol’Aces opened with a 25-8 halftime lead and never looked back to enter the win column. Angel Roligat logged 9 of her 11 points in the first half to help the Baby Ol’Aces control the game. Kina Rangamar also had a good start for the Baby Ol’Aces, adding 8 points in the opening half.
Then in the second half, it was Leani Acosta’s turn to step up, as she recorded all her 8 points in the final 20 minutes of play for the Baby Ol’Aces’ 30-point winning margin.
The Lady Rollers absorbed its second loss in as many games, as it had no players scoring in twin digits. Jeraldine Castillo led the Lady Rollers with her 7 markers.

First Game
Lady Ol’Aces 59—C. Camacho 14, Pangelinan 10, D. Camacho 9, Aldan 5, Simram 4, Santos 2, Deleon Guerrero 1.
CTSI 43—Pagarao 15, Watanabe 15, Echavez 6, Espinosa 2, Alegre 2, Kautz 2.
Scoring by halves: 24-18, 59-43.

Second Game
Baby Ol’Aces 45—Rangamar 11, Roligat 11, Acosta 8, Camacho 6, Joyce 6, Ramarui 2.
Lady Rollers 15—Jeraldine Castillo 7, Jeralyn Castillo 6, Hemley 2.
Scoring by halves: 25-7, 45-15.