By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

PLAYERS in the Masters Basketball League may be lacking in speed, but they proved they still have the shooting touch, as the four teams that played in last Wednesday games fired shots from all angles and made most of them.
John Santos was among the players who lighted up the scoreboard at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym, as he exploded for 42 points and led his Old’Aces to a 99-93 win over the PTI Typhoons in the 35-and-up division.
He outgunned the Typhoons’ George Masga, who scored 38 points.
Santos found his marks early hitting eight points in the first quarter, which ended with the Old’Aces leading by three, 28-25.
Santos drilled the Old’Aces first 10 points in the second quarter, but the Typhoon behind Dado Vistal refused to be left behind and tied the match at halftime, 46-all.
It was still a close game in the third period with the Old’Aces leading by only three entering the fourth period, 71-68. The Typhoons remained in contention with Masga firing 10 straight points and a total of 12 markers in the third period.
Masga continued to lead the Typhoons in the fourth quarter, but he lacked support from his teammates.
Santos kept his strong offensive game in the fourth quarter adding 10 more points and he got enough contributions from Rangamar, Ton Luzama and Jack Diaz to preserve the win.
In the second game, Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense scored way past the century mark en route to beating the PTI Yankees by 18 points, 117-99.
SIP had three players scoring more than 20 points with Melvin Villarin leading the way with 29 markers. Ronald Delos Reyes contributed 24, while Rick Alegre chipped in 22.
With Delos Reyes and Alegre doing the damage early combining for 18 points, SIP took a big lead, 33-16, at the end of the first quarter.
It was Villarin’s turn to burn the hoops in the second quarter, as he fired 13 points, including nine straight markers at one point in that period to keep SIP in the driver’s seat at halftime, 60-46.
Bruce Berline, Warren Villages, Tony Raho and George Poquiz tried to bring the Yankees back into the game in the second half, but faltered, as the closest they could get was within 11 points at the end of the third period, 73-84.
Delos Reyes and Alegre again joined forces in the third quarter drilling 14 of SIP’s 24 points. Villarin picked up the scoring chores midway in the fourth period nailing seven markers.
Berline led the Yankees’ losing cause with 26 points, while Raho finished with 17.
Meanwhile, action in the 45-and-up division of the Masters caging returns tonight after the cancellation of two games last Monday.
Proa takes on Top 45 in the lone game at 7 p.m.
Scores:
First Game
Old’Aces 99—Santos 42, Rangamar 10, Tudela 9, Renguul 8, Diaz 6, Rogolifoi 4, Frink 4, Thompson 2.
Typhoon 93—G. Masga 38, Vistal 16, O. Masga 14, J. Palacios 9, Pineda 7, Bicera 5, Iglecias 2.
Quarterscores: 28-25, 46-all, 71-68, 99-93
Second Game
SIP 117—Villarin 29, Delos Reyes 24, R. Alegre 22, Macoto 10, Moreno 9, Cayetano 8, T. Alegre 6, Tamondong 6, Pambid 4.
Yankees 99—Berline 26, Villegas 19, Raho 17, Poquiz 15, Nepaial 12, David 2.
Quarterscores: 33-16, 60-46, 84-73, 117-99