Dolphins, Lady Ayuyus top headlines

The biggest catch in last week’s sports events in the CNMI was the conclusion of the 2008-2009 season of the Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization Basketball League with Marianas High School and Kagman High School splitting titles.

The Lady Ayuyus made a three-peat in the girls varsity division of the MISO caging after outclassing the MHS Lady Dolphins in the finals, 56-47.

In the boys division finals, MHS foiled a Kagman sweep this season following a 76-72 overtime victory over the Ayuyus.

Joining the Lady Ayuyus and the Dolphins in last week’s winners circle were Japanese professional cyclist Ogasawara Takahiro, Melanie Daly, Philip Pedernal, Alberto Cataina Jr., Ben Babauta, Raul Dumapit, Bernard Paraiso, Marion McKenzie, Rock Steady, D9ers, Patriots, Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino, and Aqua Resort Club.

Takahiro of Japan dominated the Saipan stages of the 8th Annual Jazy Cup Tour De Marianas

The 28-year-old Japanese won the 7.5-km individual time trial (Stage 1) and the 67-km road race (Stage 2).

In Stage 1 race from Marianas Country Club to Suicide Cliff, Takahiro timed in at 16 minutes and 44 seconds. In Stage 2, the Japanese pro posted 2:01:59 for an accumulated time of 2:16:59.

In the women’s division, Daly defeated Mylene Garcia, while Pedernal prevailed in the novice division, Cataina topped the mountain bike division, and Babauta ruled the sports class.

Raul Dumapit claimed the Class A championship of the Saipan Filipino-American Lions Club Classified Bowling Tournament at the Saipan Bowling Center.

Dumapit won Class A after whipping Robert Talavera in the championship of the stepladder finals, 226-198. Talavera earlier advanced to the finals against veteran kegler Kitz Barja, 176-158.

Bernard Paraiso dominated Class B of the handicap-computed tournament, while McKenzie secured the championship in Class C.

Paraiso defeated Ronald Epan in the championship of the Class B finals by rolling a 231 against Epan’s 169.

In the Class C finals, McKenzie pulled off a 223-220 win over Gloria Omechelang.

In baseball, Rock Steady started its title defense bid in the 2009 Budweiser Saipan Major League with a 6-5 victory over the Ford Rangers at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

The D-9ers joined Rock Steady in the win column after an impressive 13-3 triumph over 2007 champions the Tanapag Falcons.

Still at the “Tan Ko’ Ballfield, the Patriots remained undefeated in three games in the Junior Division of the 2009 Saipan Little League Baseball.

The Patriots notched their third win via an 11-1 rout of the Fielders.

At the Tinian Municipal Gymnasium, Aqua Resort Club won the battle of unbeaten teams in the 2009 Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino Invitational Basketball League, downing Hyatt Regency Saipan, 100-98.

Ziddy Johanes made a crucial steal and the game-winning basket in the closing seconds of the match to lift Aqua to a 3-0 record and hand Hyatt its first loss in three games.

In the second game, Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino broke into the win column after posting a 105-92 triumph over Pacific Islands Club.