Strong starts for Sonics, Panty Dropper

Panty Dropper’s Kassie Davis looks for a teammate to pass the ball to as she faces several Chow Time defenders during the first half of their game in the Tan Holdings caging last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Sonics and Panty Droppers had explosive debuts in the 2015 Tan Holdings Christmas Basketball Tournament last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

The Sonics whipped the Runnin’ Rebels, 58-43, in the boys U19 game, while Panty Dropper pounded Chow Time, 57-11, in the women’s division pairing to make it to the win column of their respective competitions.

The Panty Dropper poured in 26 unanswered points in the first 14 minutes and change of the game to set up the blowout. Friendly Joy Pena led Panty Dropper’s scoring spree, as she fired 12 of their 30 points in the first half.

While Panty Dropper had no troubles burning the hoops and played organized basketball, Chow Time was in disarray on offense, as it clearly lacked the basic skills to keep up with its opponents. Chow Time managed to hit only two field goals in the first 20 minutes of play, breaking its long silence under the six minute mark of the opening half off Candice Avelino’s banked shot. Avelino also nailed Chow Time’s other field goal in the first half.

In the second half, Panty Dropper continued its domination, drilling one basket after another, while Chow Time was still lost to the point that one of its players pulled up for a shot on their opponent’s goal.

Pena top-scored in Panty Dropper’s debut win with her 18 points, while lanky center Serafina Rogoyawa contributed 15. Four other Panty Dropper players hit the board for the team, while only four scored for Chow Time.

In the boys U19 division pairing, the Sonics played better in the second half to earn the double-digit winning margin.

The Sonics were up by only one at the end of the first half, 22-21, before it started to gain more cushion in the second as Djay Ong teamed up with Michael Espinosa in providing the needed baskets for their team. Ong, who knocked in 6 of the Sonics’ first 8 points, registered 6 straight markers in the second half and added 4 more, while Espinosa tallied 11 of his 13 in the final frame.

Boys U18
Sonics 58 – Ong 16, Espinosa 13, Kintaro 8, Bondoc 7, Tekopua 6, Javier 4, Domingo 2.

Runnin’ Rebels 43 – Siech 9, Sablan 7, Hopkins 6, Ngiraroas 6, Jones 4, Florencio 4, Norita 3, Atalig 2.

Scoring by halves: 22-21, 58-43.

Women’s
Panty Dropper 57 – Pensa 18, Rogoyawa 15, Garon 7, Davis 6, Lumabi 5, Valino 4, Francisco 2.

Chow Time 11 – C. Avelino 6, Ocampo 2, R. Avelino 2, Francisco 1.

Scoring by halves: 30-4, 57-11.