Old Aces continue miracle run

Elias Rangamar is virtually unbeatable in H-O-R-S-E and he got to prove that in a real game situation Thursday night in the knockout game against Dyno-Sores at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

With the last finals berth of the 40-and-over Masters Basketball League on the line, the 5’7” guard made three pressure-packed free throws with no time remaining to force overtime.

In the extra period, Rangamar scored the first 3 points and assisted on at least a couple of more baskets to lead Old Aces to an improbable come-from-behind 94-91 victory.

Old Aces got off to a jackrabbit start and dominated the opening quarter 31-18, as streak shooter Tony Luzama got into a rhythm.

But Dyno-Sores slowed down the game in the second quarter to take advantage of its bigger players down the low blocks. The ploy worked wonders and the team was able to chip away at Old Aces’ lead.

With 6’4” Tony Raho making shots at pointblank range, Old Aces players were forced to clog the lane, which freed up sniper Warren Villegas from outside. The result? Dyno-Sores trailed by just 2 points, 43-45, at the half.

It was a seesaw battle in the early part of the third before Dyno-Sores broke away from Old Aces to establish a modest 5-point lead. But just before Dyno-Sores could run the table on Old Aces, their campaign suffered a big blow when Raho fouled out.

Old Aces made a mini run to end the third and were only down by a point, 61-62, heading into the fourth and final quarter.

Dyno-Sores then got a huge lift from versatile swingman Gilbert Espinosa in the fourth quarter. With Old Aces mindful of Villegas and Robert Tamondong’s outside shooting, Espinosa got free for eight-foot jumpers and drive-in plays.

The trapping defense of Dyno-Sores also muzzled Luzama and Rangamar. Adding further to Old Aces’ woes were the foul troubles of Luzama and starting center Poland Yamada.

But despite all that, the team was only down by two points, 77-75, with 22.9 ticks to go in the ballgame.

In the next possession Old Aces forced the action inside and Luzama picked up his fifth and final foul contesting the rebound with Espinosa.

Espinosa made just one free throw but Old Aces again came away empty in what seemed to be their final offensive stand with 2.7 left.

But Tamondong would give Old Aces one last chance when he misfired twice from the 15-foot line. Rangamar quickly took the outlet pass, dribbled a few times and attempted a Hail Mary shot from halfcourt.

Although the ball didn’t fall anywhere near the basket, Rangamar had his prayer partially answered when Villegas absent-mindedly fouled him.

Rangamar coolly stepped to the charity line and swooshed the first of three free throws. He did the same to the two others with each one of them touching only the bottom of the nylon.

Rangamar went on to top-score for Old Aces with 25 points, while his four other teammates from the 1987 South Pacific Games in Noumea also finished in doubles figures.

Villegas and Espinosa paced Dyno-Sores’ heartbreaking loss with 19 points apiece, while three others added 12 points or better.

Old Aces 94 – Rangamar 25, Luzama 23, Ruluked 17, Rogolofoi 14, Yamada 10, Limes 3. Celis 2.

Dyno-Sores 91 – Villegas 19, Espinosa 19, Raho 17, Tamondong 15, Valencia 12, Douglas 7, Nepaial 3, Gene W. 1.

Scoring by quarters: 31-18, 45-43, 61-62, 78-78, 94-91 OT