D1: GK Warriors beats Delaware Titans, 66-46 (35 and Over)

By Jun Rana / Photo by Poochie Roldan

Tony Astoveza, Sonny De La Torre, Dennis Balagtas and Jim Reynolds combined for 61 points to power the GK Warriors to a rousing win over the Delaware Titans in the first ever PAAD 35 Years Old and Over Division, 66-46. The Warriors height advantage proved to be a decisive factor, as the Warriors outrebounded the Titans 25-14 and made easy baskets inside the paint.

The Warriors took control of the game early in the first half as they raced to an early 19-10 lead with baskets from Astoveza, De La Torre and Balagtas. Jim Reynolds had at least 3 rebounds during that span and his towering presence disrupted several plays of the Titans. The Warriors padded the lead to 33-15 at half time.

Egged on by its fans, the Titans played better in the second half. Ramon Agui, Karl Ebron and Luis Alvarez dropped a 15-10 bomb to reduce the Warriors lead to 13, at 43-30 midway in the second half. Agui made a jump shot and a three point play on a layup in that crucial stretch. However, De La Torre answered back with a basket to make it 45-30. Ebron however countered with a 3 point shot, to make it 45-33. That proved to be the last stand of the Titans, as De La Torre, Astoveza, Balagtas and Reynolds unleashed a 21-13 salvo to end the game with a final score of 66-46. Reynolds continued his dominance in the boards in that stretch hauling down 2 crucial rebounds to halt the Titans run.

In the dying seconds of the game, the crowd cheered on for Doctor Mel Madarang to convert a free throw. Madarang, who is also the Team Manager of the Warriors, obliged as he made his final free throw to put his name in the scoreboard.

“The height advantage is too much to overcome,” said Titans player Joneil Garcia. “Yes, we have the height advantage. However, they may have their big player as well in our next meeting with them,” said De La Torre, team captain of the GK Warriors. De La Torre is referring to Jason Del Rosario who is still in vacation in the Philippines.

Scores:
66 - GK Warriors: Tony Astoveza, 17; Sonny De La Torre,17; Dennis Balagtas, 14; Jim Reynolds, 13; Felix Vergara , 2; James Hoeffliger, 2; Doc Mel Madarang, 1

46 – Delaware Titans: Ramon Agui,13; Karl Ebron, 8, Luiz Alvarez, 7; Ed Ortega, 5; Eggie Alafriz, 4; Jorge Corotan,3; Dodjie Allarey, 2; D Tapel, 2, Joel Villamor 2