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

D3: Delaware Titans in a walkover win over Red Bulls (Open Division)

By Jun Rana

The Delaware Titans scored its first win in the Open Division of the PAAD Palaro 2010 Basketball tournament with a walkover win over Red Bulls. The inclement weather brought havoc to Red Bulls bid for victory, as majority of its players were not able to make it in time for the start of its 10:30 AM game with the Titans. The Titans win further threw the race wide open for one of the four semifinal slots in the Open Division. All the teams are still in contention in the semi-finals.

The Delaware Titans and Red Bulls are now tied for 5th place in the Open Division with a 1-2 win-loss cad behind the fourth place No Way with a 1-1 win-loss record.

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

D3: GK Warriors tops WSA, 66-54 in Battle of Unbeaten Teams (Open Division)

By Jun Rana

Playing like a well oiled machine, the GK Warriors used a well balanced attack to prevail over a fighting Wala Sa Ayos (WSA), 66-54, in the battle of unbeaten teams in Day 3 of the Open Division of the PAAD Palaro 2010 Basketball tournament. The Warriors grabs the lead in the Open Division with a 2-0 win-loss record. WSA dropped to a second place tie with Baltimore Dragons with a 2-1 win-loss record.

The Warriors playing coach Herb Monsalud effectively rotated his players to build an early 41-25 halftime lead in a fast paced game. Dustin Coloso and Santini Lancioni led the first half attack with 11 points each, followed by last year’s MVP Yogi Veranga with 6 points. The four three pointers by the GK Warriors in the first half, three of them by Lancioni and one by Coloso, proved to be the lethal weapon that led to a 16 point halftime lead. Meanwhile, WSA’s scoring trio of Jeff Verneza, Alex Santos and Paul Nicdao had only 17 points in the first half.

The Warriors then coasted to victory in the second half although WSA put up a much tougher fight. This time it was WSA who unloaded their three point shooting ammunitions hitting six three pointers in the second half (3 by Nicdao, 2 by Verneza, and 1 from Roque Guerzon). And with only 3 minutes and 24 seconds remaining the Warriors lead was reduced to 9 at 60-51. However, the Warriors kept their cool and put up a scintillating defense in the final minutes of the game to seal the win at 66-54. The deeper bench of the Warriors was also evident as Chris Clemente, and Ian Clemente helped in the scoring chores in the second half with 6 and 5 points apiece.

Box Scores:
66 – GK Warriors: Dustin Coloso, 16; Santini Lancioni, 11; Yogi Veranga, 10; Chris Clemente, 8; Ian Clemente, 6; Mario Lancioni, 6; Curtis Clemente, 4; Herb Monsalud, 2; Coco Clemente, 2; Ryan De Guzman,1

54 – WSA: Jeff Verneza, 15; Paul Nicdao, 13; Alex Santos, 10; Lester Dabu, 7; Roque Guerzon, 6; Michael Alegarbes, 3

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

D2: Dabarkads defeated L'Spikers in 2 sets (Mixed Volleyball)

by Jun Rana

Defending champion Delaware Dabarkads opened the defense of its Mixed Volleyball championship crown with a rousing win over L’Spikers de-volleyball (HealingWater), 21-10 and 21-15. The win enable Dabarkads to grab the lead in the three cornered fight for the volleyball championship, with a 1-0 winloss record. Second in the standings is L’Spikers de-volleyball (HealingWater) with a 1-1- win-loss record. Last year’s runner up Elkton Elitz is third with a 0-1 win-loss record.

The Mixed Volleyball tournament allows the fielding of two male players and four male players in a game, and is proving to be an exciting and popular game for the fans. The Volleyball games resume on July 17.

Jake Cortez is the Three Point Shootout Leader

by Jun Rana

Sharp shooter Jake Cortez of Red Bulls leads the elimination round of the Three Point Shootout Competition in PAAD 2010 Basketball Tournament as he scored a sizzling 16 points in the Day 1 of the elimination. The maximum points that one can reach is 26 points on perfect 10 out 10 shooting. There are three money balls worth 4 points and Cortez hit two of them.

Luiz Alvarez of the Delaware Titans 35 years old and over Team is second with 12 points. Alvarez hit one money ball. A far third is Arnel Lalicon of the Delaware Titans Open team with 4 points. Three players are tied for fourth place with two points each, namely, Marlowe Ulit of NoWay (Maricas) 35 years old and over Team, Dave Setters of NoWay (Maricas) Open Team, and Jeff Holcomb of the Delaware Titans
Open team.

Each team in the Open Division and 35 and Over Division has two entries in the competition which makes a total of 20 contestants. The top four players in the elimination rounds will join defending champion Noel Borres in the finals on the last day of PAAD Palaro 2010 tournament which is August 14.

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.

D2: NoWay notches first win in Open Division, stops Titans 65-55 (Open Division)

By Jun Rana

No Way (Maricas) used balance scoring, three point shooting, and superior rebounding to bounce back from its opening day loss and topple the Delaware Titans, 65-55 in Day 2 of the Open Division of the PAAD Palaro 2010 basketball tournament.

Under the watchful eyes of Coach Paul Micarsos, NoWay took the initiative right from the start with a 22-12 onslaught led by Marlowe Ulit and Dave Setters during the first 16 minutes of the game. At that point, eight NoWay players have already scored for the team. With its fans cheering and encouraging them however, The Titans refused to yield as they cut the lead of NoWay, 26-18 at the half with barrage of baskets from Will imperial and Dexter Quezon. A big factor for NoWay in maintaining the lead at the half were the 4 three pointers contributed by Rudy Mallari, Ulit, El Persons and rookie Bryan Stevenson.

The Titans caught fire in the second half, as team captain Steve Antonio combined forces with Quezon and Imperial as the Titans slowly gained on NoWay’s Lead. However, BJ Advento of NoWay suddenly came alive and together with Persons, Setters and Stevenson parried the threats of the Titans. With 6 minutes remaining in the second half, NoWay’s lead was reduced to five points, 52-47. However, No Way found another stride and unleashed a 13-8 barrage with the help of Alex Alday, Advento and
Persons to ice the win for NoWay, 65-55. Advento scored all of his 14 points in the second half. Meanwhile, Antonio and Quezon of the Titans scored 10 points each in the second half.

NoWay was helped with their superior rebounding which limited the second chance points of the Titans. NoWay outrebounded the Titans with a 2 to 1 ratio. Also, NoWay has five three pointers in the game as compared to zero for the Delaware Titans. The effective distribution of playing time to majority of the players by Coach Micarsos enabled NoWay to finish strongly in the closing minutes of the game.

“This is a very good win for the team,” said No Way Coach Micarsos.

Box Scores:
65 - NoWay (Maricas): BJ Advento, 14; Dave Setters, 10; El Persons, 10; Bryan Stevenson, 9 ; Alex Alday, 8; Marlowe Ulit, 5; Rudy Mallari, 3; Arnold Dawinan, 2; Kenneth Savella, 2; Rod Campalan, 2

55 – Delaware Titans: Dexter Quezon, 15; Will Imperial, 14; Steve Antonio, 13; Paul Valencia, 4; Ian Orbeta, 3; Arnel Lalicon, 2; Jason Del Rosario, 2; Andrew Ronde, 2

D2: WSA Stuns Dynamic, 65-45 (Open Division)

by Jun Rana

Wala Sa Ayos (WSA) continued to impress basketball fans and aficionados via a stunning win over Dynamic Physical Therapy, 65-45 in Day 2 of the Open Division of the PAAD Palaro 2010 basketball tournament. Paul Nicdao, Jeff Verneza and Alex Santos combined for 52 points to powerWSA to a resounding win that put them at the top of the standings in the Open Division with a 2-0 win-loss record. Idle GKWarriors is second with a 1-0, win-loss record.

It was a tight first half as Dynamic took the early lead, 13-11, on baskets by RJ Valera, Rich Bandoy and Ray Mann. However, the scoring trio of Santos, Verneza, and Nicdao buckled down to work and ignited an 18-10 blast to grab the lead at halftime, 29-23. Each of the scoring trio had one three point shot in the first half.

In the second half,WSA’s running game and well executed plays took its toll on Dynamic which only showed up with six players and missed several key players including playing coach Mike Sanchez, Will Barnes, Justin Mercado and Joe Miranda.

Sensing that fatigue was setting in on Dynamic players, Nicdao, Verneza, Santos and Charles Peart delivered the knock-out punch with a 32-22 attack, to put the game away at 61-45 with 1 minute and 40 seconds remaining. The foursome delivered with a combination of layups and rainbow shooting (one each by Verneza and Peart). However, it was Nicdao’s 13 points and 5 assists that were crucial in that most decisive stretch. The only guy who kept answering the call for Dynamic in the second half was Mark Pr’Out who had 13 points in that half. Former PAAD Youth player Francisco Palanca played for Dynamic and had one three pointer in the second half.

“We run out of gas. We hope to have most of our players around on July 10,” said RJ Valera of Dynamic. Nicdao led all scorers with 19 points while Mark Pr’Out top scored for Dynamic with 16 points.

Box Scores:
65 - WSA: Paul Nicdao, 19; Jeff Verneza, 18; Alex Santos, 15; Charles Peart, 9; Andre De Lara, 4

45 – Dynamic:Mark Pr’Out, 16; Rich Bandoy, 8; Ray Mann, 8; RJ Valera, 7; Francisco Palanca, 3; Reese
Pr’Out, 3