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CT Law Rollers, 670 Sonics XVIII duel for first finals berth
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Posted on Jun 12 2018
The 670 Sonics XVIII’s Emmanuel Cobacha, throws up a floater during the first quarter of their playoff game against the Saipan Vegas Extreme in the boys U18 division of the Diaz youth caging last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
The CT Law NMI Rollers and 670 Sonics XVIII eliminated their respective playoff foes to set up a battle for the first finals ticket in the boys U18 division of the 2018 Frank M. Diaz Memorial Youth League.
The 670 Sonics XVIII dominated the depleted Saipan Vegas Extreme, 74-43, to advance to the semifinals, while the CT Law NMI Rollers followed suit after outclassing Saipan Vegas Elite, 43-37, last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
The CT Law NMI Rollers and 670 Sonics XVIII squared off yesterday afternoon and results of their fight for a seat to the finals were unavailable at press time. The 670 Sonics XVI and Ol’Aces Real Deal met in the other semis pairing.
The 670 Sonics XVIII eased its way to the Final Four after building an early double-digit lead against Saipan Vegas Extreme, which played last weekend’s match with a seven-man roster.
The shorthanded lineup made it difficult for Saipan Vegas Extreme to keep up with the 670 Sonics XVIII’s offense, as the latter established a 22-9 lead at the end of the first period. Saipan Vegas Extreme was held to four field goals in the opening canto, while Emmanuel Cobacha nearly outgunned their entire opponents after firing 8 points in that period and giving the 670 Sonics XVIII a baker’s dozen lead.
The 670 Sonics XVIII’s advantage ballooned in the ensuing quarters, as the team had multiple options on offense, while Saipan Vegas Extreme leaned heavily on Duncan Laxa and Anthony Laraja.
By the end of the third period, the 670 Sonics XVIII more than doubled Saipan Vegas Extreme’s output, 61-30, en route to the lopsided win in the second playoff match.
In the third playoff game, Matthew Richardson steadied the ship in the fourth quarter to lift the CT Law NMI Rollers to the 6-point win. He had 8 points in the final canto, scoring his squad’s first 4 markers and last 4, too.
Angelo Factor made the other 2 points for the CT Law NMI Rollers, which led by double figures in the first half, but lost it when Saipan Vegas Elite mounted a comeback in the second and eventually fell short.
