By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE Cyclones claimed the solo lead in the SAIPANCELL/BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League, while the Sonics nailed back-to-back wins after downing separate foes last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
The Cyclones defeated 670, 75-59, to improve to a 3-0 record and grab the top spot in the 11-team field.
The Sonics are only a win behind the Cyclones after the former gained their second victory in as many games following an 82-73 triumph over the Hoopaholics.
The Cyclones controlled the game from start to finish taking advantage of 670’s depleted lineup.
670 played with only six players, while the Cyclones fielded 13 players in the game.
With 670’s lacking in manpower, Preston Basa and Frank Blas were forced to carry the cudgels for their team.
Blas had seven markers in the first quarter, but it was not enough to help 670’s get the lead, as the Cyclones had a balanced offense in the first 10 minutes of the game and took a 24-15 lead.
The Cyclones never looked back from thereon with Henry Sbalan, Tyrone Palacios and Gus Palacios drilling double figures.
Henry Sablan had 19 markers, Tyrone chipped in 14 and Gus scored 11.
Basa and Blas fired 25 and 17 points, respectively, for 670, which absorbed its third straight loss.
In the first game, the Sonics withstood the Hoopaholics fourth-quarter rally to eke out a nine-point win.
After entering the fourth period behind by 13 points, 51-64, the Hoopaholics moved within six, 77-71, with about two minutes left in the game.
But the Sonics secured the win from the free-throw line hitting four charities in the closing minutes of the match. Manuel Ajoste and Jon Lim both went 2-for-2 from the 15-foot line, while Peter Mendiola split his charities.
Five Sonics players scored in double figures with Ajoste leading the way with 14 points. Brian Flores and Lerio Pagarao chipped in 13 markers apiece, while Lim and Jason Bahillo drilled 12 and 1 points, respectively.
The Sonics waxed hot early from downtown making four triples in the first quarter, which ended with the Hoopaholics down by 16, 10-26.
After struggling offensively in the first quarter, the Hoopaholics found their marks with Bob Coldeen nailing seven of his 11 points in the second period.
But the Sonics maintained the lead at halftime, 46-32, with Pagarao drilling a triple and scoring seven in the second quarter.
Ben Sablan tried to lead the Hoopaholics back into the game firing three triples in the third quarter. But coach Sonics Jesse Tudela continued to get contributions from every player he fielded in the game to keep the lead at the end of the third canto.
Sablan started the fourth period with a triple and hit one more, but every time the Hoopaholics closed in, the Sonics found ways to stop the rally.
The loss was the Hoopaholics second in a row after winning their debut against the G-Stars during the opening of the league last month.
The Sonics are tied with the Ol’Aces in second place.
Scores:
First Game
Sonics 82—Ajoste 14, Flores 13, Pagarao 13, Lim 12, Bahillo 10, Eclevia 6, Mendiola 5, Delos Santos 4, Kintz 2, Del Rosario 2.
Hoopaholics 73—Sablan 17, Babauta 13, Coldeen 11, Diaz 8, Philips 7, Aquino 6, R. Deleon Guerrero 6.
Quarterscores: 26-10, 46-32, 64-51, 82-73
Second Game
Cyclones 75—H. Sablan 19, T. Palacios 14, G. Palacios 11, Jos. Sablan 7, Maratita 4, Yangilman 4, N. Palacios 4, Joh. Sablan 3, Cabrera 2, D. Palacios 2.
670 59 —P. Basa 25, Blas 17, J. Camacho 9, Z. Diaz 5, Celis 3.
Quarterscores: 24-15, 38-29, 59-39, 75-59