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Dolphins cruise to 2nd consecutive win
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Posted on Jan 20 2009
Jericho Cruz started for Marianas High School and wasted no time in leading the Dolphins to a 93-78 victory over Kagman High School in the boys varsity division of the 2008-2009 MISO Basketball League Friday night at the MHS Gymnasium.
Cruz was allowed to play only in the second half of the Dolphins’ debut in the league against Saipan Southern High School on Jan. 11 for disciplinary action. But against the Ayuyus, he was part of the starting unit and made his presence felt early firing nine of his game-high 31 points in the first quarter en route to giving the Dolphins their second straight win.
MHS prevailed over Southern in their first duel since last season’s finals, 63-55. Kagman handed the defending champion Manta Rays back-to-back losses after pulling off a 59-57 win on Jan. 15.
The Ayuyus failed to make it two in a row, as they trailed from start to finish and were outgunned by the Dolphins’ snipers.
Kagman kept pace with MHS in the first quarter, as the former was behind by only four, 17-21.
Joe Ada, who had six points in the first period joining forces with Cruz in putting MHS in the lead, was more explosive in the second period. The Dolphins guard fired 14 points in the second quarter helping MHS increased its lead to 11 at halftime, 45-34.
No Kagman player scored more than one fieldgoal in the second canto allowing MHS to nail a double-digit lead.
Ada went cold in the third period and the Ayuyus capitalized on this opportunity outscoring the Dolphins for the first time, 20-17, to move within eight, 54-62.
Zack Tudela, who was silent in the first three quarters making only two free throws, save the best for last, hitting 10 markers in the final canto to foil Kagman’s bid for an upset.
Ada and Cruz combined for 14 fourth-quarter points, as MHS again dominated Kagman, offensively, 31-23.
Ada finished with 25 points, scoring in double figures for the second straight time after an 18-point debut against Southern.
Cruz more than doubled his output in the first game, as had only 12 against Southern after spending the first half on the bench.
[B]MHS 93[/B] – Cruz 31, Ada 25, Tudela 12, Kenty 9, Rabauliman 6, Untalan 4, Catap 2, Camacho 1. [B]KHS 79[/B] – Camacho 19, Ogumoro 17, Iguel 14, Brel 13, Cocepcion 6, Lisua 3, Pangelinan 3, Norita 2. [B]Scoring by quarters:[/B] 21-17, 45-34, 62-54, 93-79.
