D7: Elkton Elitz nips L’Spikers, 14-21, 21-16, 21-19, to enter finals (Mixed Volleyball)

By Jun Rana

After 3 gruelling sets, the Elkton Elitz subdued L’Spikers de Volleyball (HWBCI), 14-21, 21-16 and 21-19 in the knockout match for a spot in the Mixed Volleyball Final on August 14. With the win, the Elitz advanced to the finals where they will meet archrival Delaware Dabarkads.

Dabarkads and Elitz met in last year’s finals and had a thrilling match won by Dabarkads. Now, with the Elitz reinforced by players from Pennsylvania, the final match against the Dabarkads on August 14 will be an intriguing and thrilling matchup of equally competitive teams. May the best team win.

D7: Delaware Titans Enters Finals, Sinks No Way, 58-40 (35 and Over Division)

By Jun Rana

The Delaware Titans, playing inspired basketball, put their game together superbly in the second half to defeat No Way, 58-40 in their knockout match for a seat in the championship of the 35 and Over Division of the 2010 PAAD Palaro. With the win, the Titans will meet the GK Warriors in the championship game on August 14.

Before the game, the Titans team captain, Ed Ortega, stressed that it's a win or go home game and he doesn't want to go home. No Way, led by El Persons, took the early lead at 11-6 in the first half. However, the Titans, led by Jeorge Corotan, tied the game at 16-all. At this juncture, Jason Del Rosario, converted a three point shot and Jomar Ugarte added two free throws to gave the Titans a 21-16 lead, time down to four minutes in the first half.

Persons and Marlowe Ulit answered back for No Way to cut the lead of the Titans to 2, at 24-22. That last basket of the Titans before half-time was a three point shot by Karl Ebron. It was also a battle of the cheering fans of the Titans and No Way, especially during the closing minutes of the first half.

In the second half, the Titans then played better defense, better ball movement and fluid offense. Led by Del Rosario, Ed Ortega, Joneil Garcia, Luis Alvarez, Joel Villamor and Ramon Agui, the Titans went on an 18-6 scoring binge to pad their lead to 14, at 42-28, midway in the second half. Villamor, Ortega and Alvarez had one triple each during that span, while Del Rosario provided the muscles inside the shaded area. It was the spurt that the Titans needed, as they were able to resist the counter attack of No Way led by Ulit, Persons and Jay Lizardo.

The closest that No Way was able to reduce the deficit was by 11, when they were trailing 51-40, with 1 minute and 18 seconds remaining. At that point however, it was all over as No Way could not buy a basket while the Titans continued to hit their shots, especially at the free throw line.

Villamor put an exclamation point on the Titans victory with a last second 3-point shot vindicating himself for his missed game-winning basket during their first meeting with No Way. And after the dust of the battle cleared, the Titans emerged victorious, 58-40.

It was a sweet win for the Titans who will battle for the championship against the GK Warriors on Saturday, August 14. After several years of not being in the finals, the Titans will relish the rare opportunity to become a champion once again.

Box Scores:

58 – Delaware Titans: Jason Del Rosario, 14; Ed Ortega, 12; Jeorge Corotan, 9; Ramon Agui, 6; Karl Ebron, 5; Luis Alvarez 3; Joneil Garcia, 3; Joel Villamor, 3; Jomar Ugarte, 2; Willie Fontano, 1

40 – No Way: El Persons, 13; Marlowe Ulit, 13; Jay Lizardo, 6; Mike Vergara, 3; Norman Aquino, 2; Ramil Magpantay, 2, Riki Makasakit, 1

D7: Dynamic Wins by Default Over Red Bulls, Enters Semifinals (Open Division)

By Jun Rana

Dynamic Physical Therapy won by default over Red Bulls in Day 7 of Open Division of the 2010 PAAD Palaro basketball tournament. It was the third win by Dynamic against three losses. With the win, Dynamic entered the semifinals of the 2010 PAAD Palaro which will be played on August 14.

Red Bulls, a semifinalist last year, was a no show during the game and as a result, it placed last among the 7 teams in the Open Division with a 1-7 win-loss record. For Dynamic, this will be the second straight year that they will be playing in the semifinals.

D7: GK Warriors Sweeps Elimination Round, tops Baltimore, 81-57 (Open Division)

By Jun Rana

The GK Warriors, starring brothers Mario and Santini Lancioni who scored 41 points, disposed of the Baltimore Dragons, 81-57 to sweep the elimination round of the Open Division of the 2010 PAAD Palaro basketball tournament with their sixth straight win in as many outings. The win gave the Warriors the number one seed in the four-team semifinals which be played on August 14. Despite the loss, the Dragons hanged on as the second ranked team in the elimination round, and also qualified for the semifinals with a 4-2 win-loss record.

The Warriors were off to a fast start, leading 19-11 in the early goings In the first half. And as the match progressed, the Lancioni brothers barrage of 3 point shot artilleries (4 by Mario and 3 by Santini) overwhelmed the Dragons as the Warriors roared to a 37-20 lead at halftime. The Dragons were led by RJ Buzon who had 10 points (including 2 triples) at halftime .

Earlier in the second half, the Dragons led by Souk Gumatay engineered a 6-0 run to reduce the lead by the Warriors to 11 at 37-26. However, Leo Yanogacio of the Warriors, who is known more for his inside plays, pushed the lead back of the Warriors to 14 with a three point shot , still with 19 minutes remaining in the game. However, the Warriors did not let up on the attack after that point. This time, Dennis Balagtas and Dustin Coloso joined the Lancioni brothers in the scoring chores to repulse any of the Dragons threat. For the Dragons, Gumatay and Buzon were helped by Paco Estrada, Frank Concepcion and Julio Concepcion.

The Warriors and the Dragons had 6 three point shots each in the second half. However, the Dragons were not able to put a clamp or a stop on the Warriors armory of excellent shooters, as virtually every player is a scoring threat. And with its much deeper lineup, the Warriors were able to push to lead to 24 at the end of the game, 81-57.

For Coach Herb Monsalud and his charges, the Warriors are looking invincible and a three peat championship is very well within reach. And a talk of the GK Warriors dynasty is in the offing. It will take a perfect game from the Dragons, No Way or Dynamic if those teams want to win against the Warriors. That perfect game is like a perfect 300 score in bowling – which is very rare but can be done.

Box Scores:

81 – GK Warriors: Mario Lancioni, 23; Santini Lancioni, 18; Dennis Balagtas, 10; Dustin Coloso, 8; Ian Clemente, 7; Leo Yanogacio, 5, Coco Clemente, 4; Curtis Clemente, 3; Ryan De Guzman, 2; Herb Monsalud, 1

57 – Baltimore: RJ Buzon, 16; Souk Gumatay, 12; Frank Concepcion, 12; Paco Estrada, 8; Julio Concepcion, 6; Jackie Brosoto, 3

D7: No Way Upsets WSA, 71-70 on Setters’ Free Throw (Open Division)

By Jun Rana

With the game tied and no time left on the clock, Dave Setters nailed his second free throw in front of his team’s jubilant cheering fans, to lift No Way to a pulsating 71-70 win over Wala Sa Ayos (WSA) in Day 7 of Open Division of the 2010 PAAD Palaro basketball tournament. It was the third win in six games for No Way, but in the process it entered the semifinals as the third ranked team based on the quotient system. It was a heart breaking loss for WSA considered by many as a shoe in for the semi-finals.

The dramatic win was also a tribute to No Way Coach Paul Micarsos impressive coaching skills. Three teams were tied from third to fifth place, namely No Way, Dynamic and WSA. Under the quotient system, No Way and Dynamic took the third and fourth semifinal spots and WSA was relegated into fifth place ranking in the tournament.

In the unique quotient system based on the points among the three teams involved in the tie, No Way’s mission before the start of the game was not only to win but to score at least 65 points. Leading by only 2 points at the half at 23-21, Coach Micarsos made an adjustment in the second half by having the team switched from the zone defense to the man to man defense. No Way then allowed MVP candidate Paul Nicdao to either shoot a three or drive to the basket, thus making the game faster. Micarsos also instructed his players not to settle for jump shots but drive the ball to the basket. The calculated risk paid off as the teams virtually exchanged basket for basket making the game a high scoring affair.

As the two teams entered the one minute remaining mark in the game, No Way had already achieved the magic number of 65, and was leading 67-61. Coach Micarsos instructed his wards to control the ball in order to win the game. At this point Dave Setters and BJ Advento were leading the No Way assault. WSA however, led by Nicdao, Armando Concepcion and Michael Alegarbes dropped a 9-3 bomb to tie the score at 70 all time down to 8 seconds. WSA’s last shot was a three point shot by Alegarbes, his first basket for the game. This set the stage for Setters’ heroics. With time down to 2 seconds, Setters drove to the lane and was fouled on the act of shooting as the time expired. Setters missed the first free throw. However, he made the next pressure packed free throw as the No Way fans jumped for joy.

Box Scores:

71 - No Way: Dave Setters, 26: BJ Advento, 24; Rudy Mallari, 11; Alex Alday, 4; Kenneth Savella, 4; Arnold Dawinan, 2

70 – Paul Nicdao, 28; Jeff Verneza, 20; Armando Concepcion, 8; Kenny Santos, 7; Roque Guerzon, 4; Michael Alegarbes, 3