D8: GK Warriors are Champs in 35 and Over Years Old Division, stops Titans, 55-47

By Jun Rana

The GK Warriors achieved history by becoming the first 35 and Over Years Old Division champion of the PAAD basketball league with a resounding win over the Delaware Titans, 55-47 in their championship game. Dennis Balagtas with 19 points and Tony Astoveza with 11 points provided the offense while Jim Reynolds provided the rebounds and defense in the Warriors triumph.

Early on the Delaware Titans fought toe to toe with the Warriors in the first half with no teams enjoying a double digit lead. The trio of Balagtas, Astoveza and Reynolds provided the 1-2-3 punch for the Warriors while the Titans countered with the quartet of Karl Ebron, Ed Ortega, Jeorge Corotan and Willie Fontano. Ebron had two three point shots, while Ortega, Corotan and Fontano had one each. It was a tight first half with the Warriors enjoying only a one point lead at 25-24.

In the second half, the Warriors and the Titans kept the game close until halfway in the second half. At the 11th minute mark, the Warriors made their move and took advantage of the cold shooting spell of the Titans, specially from its big man, Jason Del Rosario. With Balagtas and Astoveza leading the way, several players moved in for the kill in annexing the Warriors championship crown. Ed Padilla (Baltimore Dragons Coach) who plays for the Warriors, made his contribution through clutch free throw shooting while Felix Vergara and Sonny De La Torre hit a crucial three point shot as the Warriors built an insurmountable 8 point lead with half a minute remaining in the game. It was a lead which they preserved until the end of the final buzzer.

Big man Jim Reynolds, who provided the muscles in the boards and who anchored the defense of the Warriors was adjudged as the Division’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). It was a sweet win for the Warriors against a team which provided them with all they could handle and a good battle for the championship. For the Titans, the basketball gods were not on their side as they missed several easy baskets and crucial free throws down the stretch. A basket here and there could have swung the momentum in the Titans way. The Warriors proved steadier at the end to seal their first ever 35 and Over Years Old Division crown to the delight of their adoring cheering fans.

Box Scores:
55 – GK Warriors: Dennis Balagtas, 19; Tony Astoveza, 11; Felix Vergara, 7; Jim Reynolds, 6; Sonny De La Torre, 5; Ed Padilla, 5; Nestor San Diego, 2

47 – Delaware Titans: Karl Ebron, 11; Ed Ortega, 9; Jeorge Corotan, 9; D Tapel, 4; Joel Villamor, 3; Egui Alafriz, 3; Willie Fontano, 3; Jason Del Rosario, 3; Arnel Lalicon, 2

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

D6: GK Warriors enters final, with a win over No Way, 64-54 (35 and Over Division)

By Jun Rana

The GK Warriors grabs the first finals berth in the 35 and Over Division of the 2010 PAAD Palaro basketball tournament with a resounding 64-54 victory over a resilient No Way Team. It was the third win against one loss for the Warriors who will now play for the championship on August 14. They will play the winner of the knockout match between the Delaware Titans and No Way.

Jim Reynolds mastery of the boards and his team high 17 points proved to be the big difference in the victory. No Way had difficulty matching up with him during the entire game. He also got big support from Dennis Balagtas and Lex Vergara who added 16 and 10 points, respectively in the win.

The Warriors led from the start although by not big margin or only by a single digit. With Reynolds patrolling the boards, Balagtas, Vergara, Sonny De La Torre found their shooting touch in the first half. De La Torre had two three pointer and Balagtas had one as the Warriors raced to a 31-24 halftime lead. Meanwhile, Alex Alday and Riki Makasakit led the No Way offense in the first half with 7 points and 6 points, respectively.

In the second half, No Way fought toe to toe with the Warriors. With a three pointer from Raul Carabio, No Way had reduced the Warriors lead to four at 41-37, with 14 minutes remaining in the game. However, Reynolds triggered a 15-8 blast to push the Warriors lead to 56-45, 5 minutes remaining in the game. Exchanging baskets for baskets with No Way, the Warriors were able to hold on to the lead until the end of the game. Reynolds points were mostly on plays inside the painted area where he is a dominant figure. Balagtas and Jingo Jabat ably provided scoring support in the second half for the GK Warriors.

Box Scores:
64 – GK Warriors: Jim Reynolds, 17; Dennis Balagtas, 16; Felix Vergara, 10; Sonny De La Torre 8; Jingo Jabat, 7; James Hoeffliger, 4; Ed Padilla, 2;

54 – No Way: Riki Makasakit, 12; Raul Carabio, 11; Alex Alday, 9; Jay Lizardo, 8; Ramil Magpantay, 6; Norman Aquino, 5; Marlowe Ulit, 3

D5: Delaware Titans rips No Way, 56-36 (35 and Over Division)

By Jun Rana

The Delaware Titans seem to be peaking at the right time. The Titans displayed superb team effort, fluid offense and balanced scoring as they defeated No Way, 56-36 in Day 5 of the 35 and Over Division of the 2010 PAAD Palaro basketball tournament. It was the second win for the Titans in four outings that put them back with a mathematical chance to capture an automatic finals berth, in the event that all teams in the Division finish with identical 2-2 win-loss record.

Bolstered by the return of its three key players, Ramon Agui, Edward Ortega, and Karl Ebron from vacation, the Titans took advantage of the offensive woes of No Way right from the start of the game. Luis Alvarez, Ortega and Jeorge Corotan had five points a piece to power the Titans to a 25-13 halftime lead.

No Way’s offense was nowhere to be found in the first half as it could only muster 13 points led by 4 points from El Persons, and 3 points each by Alex Alday and Mike Vergara. Luis Alvarez of the Titans made a running 3 point shot for the Titans as time expired in the 1st half to the delight of the Titans fans.

In the second half, the Delaware Titans continued their scintillating game. Agui found his vintage form to lead the offense in the second half with 9 points, including exceptional free throw shooting (making 5 out of 6). Teammate Jason Del Rosario, provided his rebounding and shooting prowess and contributed 6 points in the second half.

No Way however did not flinch in the second half as Alday and Persons traded baskets with the Titans. Alday had 8 points and Persons had 5 points in the second half. However, those points were not enough as No Way were not able to put a dent on the Titan’s lead. The Titans went on to outscore No Way 31-23 in the second half, which put the final score at 56-36 in Titan’s favor.

The loss dropped No Way to third place in the standing with a 1-2 win loss record. The second and third place teams at the end of the elimination round will play on August 7 to determine the team who will meet the first place team in the finals on August 14.

Box Scores:
56 - Delaware Titans: Ramon Agui, 9; Luis Alvarez, 8; Jason Del Rosario, 8; Jeorge Corotan, 7; Edward Ortega, 7; Eggie Alafriz, 5; Arnel Lalicon, 4; Karl Ebron, 2; Jomar Ugarte, 2; D Tapel, 2; Joneil Garcia, 2;

36 – Alex Alday, 11; El Persons, 9; Ramil Magpantay, 4; Jay Lizardo, 4; Mike Vergara, 3, Paul Micarsos, 3, Riki Makasakit, 2

D4: Sweet Escape for GK Warriors, tops No Way, 54-52 (35 and Over)

By Jun Rana

This is as good as it gets.

Unheralded Jay Baltazar's barreling lay-up shot with 8 seconds to go lifted the GK Warriors to a heart pounding 54-52 win over No Way (Maricas) in Day 4 of the 35 and Over Division of the 2010 PAAD Palaro. The barreling lay-up, shot reminiscent of Philippine basketball legend Robert Jaworski, proved to be the winning basket as No Way missed their shot as time expired in the final possession of the game.

No way had actually mounted a huge comeback as they were down by seven at 49-42 with 3 minutes and 48 seconds remaining. However Ramil Magpantay and Eric Dollete of No Way triggered a 7-0 kamikaze attack to tie the count at 49 all, time down to 2 minutes in the game. Dollete hit a three point shot during that span. In the ensuing possession Tony Astoveza missed a shot but was fouled on the act of shooting. He converted two free throws to give the lead back to the Warriors, 51-49, time down to one minute and 30 seconds.

In the next possession, No Way found an open Norman Aquino who made a three point shot to give the lead back to No Way, 52-51, with over a minute left in the game. At this point the No Way fans in the arena were in frenzy and jumping for joy. In the ensuing possession, Baltazar took a shot and missed but was fouled on the act of shooting. He made one of two free throws to tie the game at 52 all, time down to 40 seconds. Still, No Way had a chance to win the game, but missed a crucial shot in its next possession. The Warriors grabbed the rebound with time down to 15 seconds.

Warriors Coach Herb Monsalud called a timeout to set up their final play in the next possession while No Way Coach Paul Micarsos gave his last minute instructions in the dramatic battle. In their next defensive sequence No Way focused on the Warriors big man Jim Reynolds, Astoveza and Dennis Balagtas. Baltazar who only had 3 points at that point went unnoticed and made the game winning shot to the delight of the screaming Warriors fans.

Early in the game the Warriors and No Way Team were locked in a tight battle. With 7 minutes left in the first half, the score was tied at 18 all. However the Warriors Big Three, Astoveza, Reynolds and Balagtas engineered a 13-4 run to finish the half at 31-22 in favor of the Warriors. Ramil Magpantay kept No Way in the thick of the fight with 10 points at halftime. He was ably supported by Marlowe Ulit and Aquino with 4 points apiece.

The second half saw a more energized No Way who answered the Warriors basket for basket. El Persons made his impact, and together with Magpantay, Dollete and Ulit quelled the challenge of Astoveza and Balagtas of the Warriors. No Way’s perseverance paid off as they tied the game at 49 all.

With the win, the Warriors grabbed the lead in the division with a 2-1 win loss record, ahead of No Way with a 1-1 record and the Delaware Titans with a 1-2 record.

Box Scores:
54 - GK Warriors: Tony Astoveza, 19; Dennis Balagtas, 14; Jim Reynolds, 10; Jay Baltazar, 5; Sonny De La Torre, 4; Ed Padilla, 2

52 – No Way: Ramil Magpantay,16, El Persons, 8; Marlowe Ulit, 7; Norman Aquino, 7; Eric Dollete, 7 Arnold Dawinan, 4; Riki Makasakit, 2; Alex Alday, 1

D3: Delaware Titans avenges loss, stops GK Warriors, 63-34 (35 and Over)

By Jun Rana

Displaying its finest form yet in the tournament, the Delaware Titans scored an impressive 63-34 thumping of the GK Warriors in Day 3 of the 35 and Over Division. The Titans avenged their loss against the Warriors in their first meeting and put themselves back in contention for an automatic finals berth in the 35 and Over Division of the PAAD Palaro 2010 basketball tournament. It was the Titans first win in three games in the double round robin preliminary rounds, but another win could earn the team a mathematical chance to capture an automatic finals berth.

The juggernaut quartet of Jason Del Rosario, Jeorge Corotan, Jomar Ugarte and Luis Alvarez buckled down to work in the early goings in the first half to secure a 23-11 lead with just 3 minutes and 26 seconds remaining in the first half. The GK Warriors clearly missed the services of its big men Jim Reynolds, Tony Astoveza and Dennis Balagtas as the quartet penetrated the lanes time and time again for easy baskets. This time it was the Titans who had the big man in Jason Del Rosario who asserted himself in the boards and proved to be an intimidating force in defense. Del Rosario also had two three pointers in the first half. The Titans further increased their lead to 17 at the half, 35-18.

The Titans continued to dominate the Warriors in the second half. The score was not close but the intensity of the game was high throughout. The Warriors fought very hard but the Titans was simply the better team during the day. Sonny De La Torre, Doc Mel Madarang and Felix Vergara tried to rally the Warriors in order to reduce the Titans double digit lead. However, they were frustrated time and time again by Corotan, Del Rosario, Ugarte, and D Tapel. Del Rosario scored two more three pointers in the second half, and Corotan penetrated the lanes at times for easy layups.

“It was a great win, a badly needed win,” said a jubilant Ugarte of the Titans.

Box Scores:
63 - Delaware Titans: Jeorge Corotan, 18; Jason Del Rosario, 18; Jomar Ugarte, 14; D Tapel 7; Luis Alvarez, 6

34 - GK Warriors: Sonny De La Torre, 16; Felix Vergara, 7; Doc Mel Madarang, 5; Ed Padilla, 2; James Hoeffliger, 2; June Andres, 2

D2: NoWay Shades Delaware Titans in Thriller, 41-40 (35 and Over)

by Jun Rana

Veteran player Marlowe Ulit converted two crucial free throws with 15 seconds remaining in the game and saw Joel Villamor missed a heavily defended layup in the dying seconds to lift NoWay (Maricas) to a thrilling 41-40 win over the Delaware Titans, in Day 2 of the 35 and Over Division of the PAAD Palaro 2010 basketball tournament. It was the first win of NoWay Team to share the lead with idle GK Warriors in the 35 and Over Division. The Titans, who led most of the way in the second half and by as many as seven points, absorbed their second loss in as many outings.

It was a tight first half as the teams were only separated by one or two points and with several lead changes during that half. At the end of the first half, it was the Titans leading by two at 22-20. At this point, Jason Del Rosario, Ed Ortega,Willie Fontano and Karl Ebron led the assault for the Titans, while El Persons, Ulit and Alex Alday traded baskets with the Titans. Titans top scorer in its first game Ramon Agui did not play for the Titans.

Heads up plays by Del Rosario and Ortega triggered a 9-4 run to pad the Titans lead to seven at 31-24, with 14 minutes to go in the second half. However, back to back baskets by Ramil Magpantay and Ulit reduced the lead of the Titans to four, 32-28. However Del Rosario answered back with a three point shot to increase the Titans lead to seven once again, 35-28, with 9 minutes remaining in the game.

But each time the Titans threatened to pull away, NoWay would come up with each own scoring spree. This time, Alex Alday, Ulit and Persons led an 11-4 burst to tie the game at, 39 all, with 33 seconds in the game. During that run, Persons delivered a crucial three point shot to help NoWay cause.

In the ensuing possession, Fontano was fouled and hit one of two free throws to grab the lead for the Titans, 40-39, time down to 20 seconds in the game. With both teams in the penalty situation, the Titans committed a costly foul on Ulit with 15 seconds remaining. Ulit calmly sank the two free throws, to finally take the lead for NoWay for good, 41-40 after a missed layup by Titan’s Villamor in the dying seconds. El Persons led No Way with 13 points, while Del Rosario of the Titans led all scorers with 16 points.

“It was an exciting win,” said a jubilant Alday of NoWay. “We did not execute well in the final possession, it was a tough loss, “said Luis Alvarez of the Titans.

Box Scores:
41 - NoWay (Maricas): El Persons, 13; Marlowe Ulit, 9; Alex Alday, 8; Jay Lizardo, 4;Mike Vergara, 3; Arnold Dawinan, 2; Ramil Magpantay, 2

40 – Delaware Titans: Jason Del Rosario, 16; Ed Ortega, 12; Willie Fontano, 7; Karl Ebron, 3; Luis Alvarez, 2

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