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

D6: Baltimore Dragons beats WSA, 66-57 (Open Division)

By Jun Rana / Photo by Ed Ortega

After a tight first half, the Baltimore Dragons switched gear in the second half. RJ Buzon and Julio Concepcion converted eight three pointers to power Baltimore to a 66-57 victory over Wala Sa Ayos (WSA) in Day 6 of the Open Division of the 2010 PAAD Palaro basketball tournament. It was the fourth win for the Dragons in five games to grab solo second place in the tournament. WSA dropped to third place in the tournament.

With Paul Nicdao, Lester Dabu and Jeff Verneza at the helm of their fast paced game, WSA took an early 16-7 lead. However Concepcion and Buzon answered back with an 18-7 run to grab the lead 25-23 at halftime. The teams continued to trade baskets in the second half. With WSA leading by three, 41-38 midway in the second half, Concepcion hit a triple to tie the game at 41-all.

After another tie at 43-all, Buzon hit another rainbow shot to grab the lead for Baltimore at 46-43. The basket ignited a 20-14 run for the Dragons as Buzon and Concepcion kept hitting their three point shots which proved to be their major weapons in the game. Also, Frank Concepcion made his impact with 8 points in the second half for the Dragons. On the other hand, Nicdao and Dabu of WSA tried to keep pace with the Dragons. Nicdao had two three pointers of his own in the second half. However, when the smoke of the battle was cleared, the Dragons emerged with a 66-57 victory.

Playing coach Ed Padilla played for the Dragons who withstood the challenge of WSA. The Dragons hot shooting in the game, especially in the three point territory, won the game for them. They also proved that they have good stamina by running with the speedsters of WSA in the entire game.

Box Scores:
66 – Baltimore Dragons: Julio Concepcion, 26; RJ Buzon, 24; Frank Concepcion, 11; Sebastian Cabrera, 3; Souk Gumatay, 2;

57 – WSA: Paul Nicdao, 27; Lester Dabu, 16; Alex Santos, 5; Jeff Verneza, 5; Roque Guerzon, 2; Andre De Lara 2

Chairman's Corner: Former PBA Player Yoyoy Villamin may play on Saturday, July 31st

Dear All,

The PAAD Palaro fans and the community may be in for a treat. Former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Player Yoyoy Villamin may play this Saturday with the Baltimore Dragons. Yoyoy Villamin, a.k.a. Bicolano Superman and also the other half of the "Bruise Brothers", played for the famous Crispa Redmanizers, Manila Beer, Sunkist and Hills Brothers in the PBA. He needs to play in the last two games of the Baltimore Dragons so that he can qualify to play in the semi-finals.

The Baltimore Dragons have already qualified for the semi-finals. Three wins is the magic number to make it in the semi-finals, and Baltimore currently has a 3-1 win loss record.

Under the PAAD Rules and Regulations, Yoyoy Villamin is eligible to play in the PAAD Tournament, since ex-PBA Players who has not played during the last 5 years in the PBA is allowed to play in the tournament. Villamin last played in the PBA in the 1990’s.

So to all basketball fans, please come to the PAL Center at 10:15 AM. Baltimore plays Wala Sa Ayos at 10:30 AM. You may be in for a treat as there is a good chance that Yoyoy Villamin will play on Saturday, July 31.

Thank you very much. Maraming salamat po.

Best regards,

Jun Rana
Chairman
PAAD Sports Committee 2010

D4: Baltimore Dragons Fantastic Five Blasted No Way, 71-53 (Open Division)

By Jun Rana

Perhaps inspired by the physical stamina, endurance and determination of Filipino world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, the Baltimore Dragons played with only five players in the entire game and gallantly fought their way to victory over No Way (Maricas) in Day 4 of the Open Division of the 2010 PAAD Palaro basketball tournament. And the Baltimore Dragons had done it with its coach Ed Padilla playing and with no players fouling out during the entire game. It was the third win against one loss for the Dragons to assume solo second place in the Open Division elimination round.

In the first half, the Dragons and No Way fought evenly. With RJ Buzon, Paco Estrada, Jackie Brosoto and Sebastian Cabrera leading the offense, the Dragons were only up 19-18 with 7 minutes remaining at the half. BJ Advento was leading the No Way attack at that point. The first half ended with the Dragons leading by only five, 28-23. With ten players present however, No Way was in a good position to upset the Dragons, as one the of Dragon players, Paco Estrada already had 3 fouls.

Estrada, Cabrera, Brosoto and Buzon engineered an 18-9 run to increase the Dragon’s lead to 46-30 in the second half, with 14 minutes remaining in the game. The Dragons did it with a combination of three point shooting and lay ups, with point guard Jackie Brosoto directing plays. Estrada had 2 three pointers and Buzon had one three pointer in that decisive stretch. Cabrera also provided the much needed rebounds for the Dragons in that stretch. It was that spurt that all the Dragons need to break away from No Way.

The Dragons then coasted to victory by trading baskets with No Way and ensuring that they kept themselves out of foul trouble, which they did the rest of the game. Dave Setters, Advento and Bryan Stevenson tried to mount a rally for No Way. However, No Way could not make several defensive stops as the tireless Dragons answered their shots basket for basket until the final buzzer which ended 71-53.

Estrada, a reserve in last year’s Baltimore Dragons team which placed second to GK Warriors in last year’s tournament had shown tremendous improvement in his game from last year. He top scored for the Dragons with 20 points. Buzon and Cabrera had 17 points apiece. BJ Advento led No Way scorers with 15 points, followed by Dave Setters with 11 points.

Despite the loss, No Way hanged on to fourth place in the tournament in a tie with Dynamic with a 1-2 win-loss record.

Box Scores:
71 – Baltimore: Paco Estrada, 20; RJ Buzon, 17, Sebastian Cabrera, 17; Jackie Brosoto, 14; Ed Padilla, 3

53 – No Way: BJ Advento, 15, Dave Setters, 11, Bryan Stevenson, 8; Jones Salpan, 6; Alex Alday, 4; Rod Campalan, 4; El Persons 3; Kenneth Savella, 2

D3: Baltimore Dragons outlasts Dynamic, 60-52 (Open Division)

By Jun Rana

The Baltimore Dragons and Dynamic fought toe to toe in the entire game, but the Dragons proved steadier in the clutches towards the end of the game, to outlast Dynamic, 60-52 in Day 3 of the Open Division of the PAAD Palaro 2010 Basketball tournament. The win gave the Dragons a share of second place with WSA, with a 2-1 win-loss record. Dynamic absorbed its second loss in as many outings.

Dynamic gave the Dragons all they could handle in the first half which ended 34-32 in favor of the Dragons. It was the trio of RJ Buzon, Jackie Brosoto and Paco Estrada who combined for 21 points in the first half that helped the Dragons to a two point halftime edge. Dynamic had all the answers in the first half coming from Justin Mercado, Mark Pr’out, playing coach Mike Sanchez and Louis Hortaleza that kept the game close. Mercado and Pr’out had eight points apiece in the first half.

The second half saw both teams exchanging baskets and are in a virtual tie throughout the second half. However, in crucial possessions in the last 3 minutes of the game, Dynamic went cold. The Dragons took advantage of the cold shooting spell of Dynamic. Urged on by its coach, Ed Padilla and Led by Brosoto and unheralded Marti Olayvar, the Dragons were able to build a 54-49 lead with 51 seconds remaining. After several desperation attempts by Dynamic, the Dragons went on to pad the lead and won the game with the final score of 60-52.

“We tried, but our efforts were not enough. It was a good game, though,” said losing playing Coach Mike Sanchez.

Box Scores:
60 - Baltimore Dragons : Jackie Brosoto, 15; RJ Buzon, 12; Marti Olayvar, 12; Paco Estrada, 8; Ian Reyes, 7; Paul Angelo, 3; Anthony Curtiz, 3

52- Dynamic: Justin Mercado, 15; Mark Pr’Out, 10; Louis Hortaleza, 9; Mike Sanchez, 8; Reese Pr’Out, 7; Jeff Jirkovsky, 3

D2: Red Bulls secures first win as Baltimore defaulted (Open Division)

by Jun Rana

Red Bulls won in the most easiest way in Day 2 of the Open Division of the PAAD Palaro 2010 basketball tournament as the Baltimore Dragons defaulted its game with a no show. It was the first win for the Red Bulls which improved to a 1-1 win loss record in the Division, same record of the Dragons who won during their opening day game. As per the rules and regulations of the tournament, the win by Red Bulls
over the Dragons will be officially 20-0.

“We do not want to win this way, but we will take it. Any win is vital in the preliminary round,” said a smiling Coach Karl Malicdem of Red Bulls.

“The Dragons opted to default the game as my players are competing in an invitational tournament in Washington DC, that day. We will definitely be there in our next game in PAAD Palaro on July 10 and in all our coming games,” said Coach Padilla of the Dragons.

D1: Baltimore Dragons escapes Delaware Titans' upset bid, 47-39 (Open Division)

By Jun Rana / Photo By Poochie Roldan

Even playing with only five players would not stop the Baltimore Dragons to gut out a hard fought win over the Delaware Titans, 47-39 in Open Division of the PAAD Palaro 2010 tournament. And the Dragons had to do it with Coach Ed Padilla playing for the first time in any PAAD tournaments. The scoring trio of RJ Bazon, Joshua Marasigan and Justin Marasigan combined for 45 points to power the Dragons over the Titans.

It was a match of attrition as the Delaware Titans were also missing the services of team Captain Steve Antonio and key player Jason Del Rosario who were on vacation in the Philippines. With nine players however, the Delaware Titans suddenly had a good chance of beating the Dragons who showed up with only five players.

The match was a very close one with the teams exchanging leads in the first half. The Dragons were only leading 16-13 midway in the first half. Rowell Quezon and Paul Valencia however kept the Titans in the thick of the fight. Quezon and Valencia had 12 points in the first half. But RJ Bazon, Joshua Marasigan and Justin Marasigan always had answer for every Titans run as the half ended 24-18 in favor of Baltimore.

The second half was a tight contest. The Dragons countered the Titans basket for basket and at the same time managed to stay away from crucial fouls to avoid fouling out of one of its players. It was Quezon and Valencia carrying the scoring load for the Titans against the Baltimore scoring trio. When the smoke of the battle cleared at 3 minutes and 45 seconds remaining in the second half, the Dragons managed to have a breathing room with 42-33 lead. It was a good enough to carry the Dragons to their first win in the Open Division of the tournament.

“A lot of my players are playing in other tournaments in Virginia/ Washington DC areas at the same time with the PAAD tournament. That’s why we only have five players today,” said Coach Ed Padilla who had a sense of relief with the win.

“We’re okay,” said losing player JC Destreza of the Titans with a smile indicating they will be ready in the coming games. The Titans will be reinforced by Jesse Fabian, the Titan’s top scorer last year in its next games.

BOX SCORES:
47 – Baltimore Dragons – RJ Buzon, 19; Justin Marasigan, 14; Joshua Marasigan, 12; Ed Padilla, 2

39 – Delaware Titans – Rowell Quezon, 17; Paul Valencia, 11; Arnel Lalicon, 6; Ian Orbeta, 3; Glen De Luna, 2