Ol’Aces vs 670 Sonics XVIII

The 670 Sonics XVIII’s Khristian Itaas, left, tries to dribble his way out of the defense of the CT Law NMI Rollers’ Matthew Richardson during the fourth quarter of their semis game in the boys U18 division of the Diaz youth caging last Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Ol’Aces Real Deal and 670 Sonics XVIII marched into the finals of the boys U18 division of the 2018 Frank M. Diaz Memorial Youth League after prevailing in their respective playoff games last Monday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The 670 Sonics XVIII was the first team to reach the title match following a 43-32 victory over the CT Law NMI Rollers in the opening semis tiff, while the Ol’Aces clobbered the 670 Sonics XVI, 91-33, in the other Final Four pairing. The Ol’Aces and 670 Sonics XVIII disputed the division championship last night, but results of the winner-take-all finale were unavailable at press time.

The 670 Sonics XVIII moved a win away from ruling the 12-team field, as it saved its best for last in their semis game against the CT Law NMI Rollers. Behind by a deuce at the end of the third period, 23-25, the 670 Sonics XVIII had a 15-1 scoring surge in the eight minute and change stretch of the final canto.

Lanky center Sean Apasan led the pivotal spurt, making 8 points, including three straight field goals. Four other 670 Sonics XVIII players contributed in the rally, which was capped by Jude Tengco’s undergoal stab against two CT Law NMI Rollers for their 38-26 advantage, down to the last 1:28 in the match.

A layup from Aaron Ogumoro gave the CT Law NMI Rollers its first field goal in the fourth quarter. However, that failed to spark a late comeback and it did not help that the clock was not on the CT Law NMI Rollers’ side.

Apasan paced the 670 Sonics XVIII in a low-scoring game with his 9 points, while Tengco and June Alipio added 7 each. Chris Arceo had double figures for the CT Law NMI Rollers after making 11, while Factor added 6, scoring the team’s first point in their fourth-quarter meltdown.

In the second game, the Ol’Aces Real Deal proved to be to too much for the 670 Sonics XVI.

The Ol’Aces Real Deal secured the finals berth and extended its winning run to 13 games right at the end of the third quarter, as the pennant champion was in front, 57-17.

Micronesian Games-bound Dean Blake and Coby Santos teamed up in the Ol’Aces’ easy win over the 670 Sonics XVI after recording 24 and 18 points, respectively. N-Nes Siech added 14 markers, while John Ichihara chipped in 9, and Kevin Kabiriel and E.J. Abejo tallied 8 apiece to back up the Ol’Aces’ main gunners. No 670 Sonics XVI scored in twin digits, as the best that Clarenz Contreras could do was earn 9 markers.

First Game
670 Sonics XVIII 43—Apasan 9, Tengco 7, Alipio 7, Rafols 5, Itaas 3, Cobacha 3, Kapileo 3, Ordona 2, Manansala 2, De Guzman 2.
CT Law NMI Rollers 32—Arceo 11, Factor 6, Ogumoro 5, Valencia 4, Quitugua 4, Richardson 2.
Scoring by quarters: 8-10, 20-20, 23-25, 43-32.

Second Game
Ol’Aces 91—Blake 24, Santos 18, Siech 14, Ichihara 9, Kabiriel 8, Abejo 8, Sandalan 5, Peter 2.
670 Sonics XVI 33—Contreras 9, Galang 5, Dancel 5, Mendoza 4, Magat 4, B. Bernardo 2, Tabora 2, R. Bernardo 2.
Scoring by quarters: 16-8, 32-15, 57-17, 91-33.