Dolphins sweep MISO caging opener

Marianas High School scored double victories in the opening day of the 2013-2014 Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization Boys Basketball League.

The Dolphins crushed the Blazers of Eucon International School, 82-52, in the varsity division game last Wednesday at the MHS Gymnasium, while the former also prevailed in the junior varsity match against Agape Christian School, 33-24.

A much deeper bench powered MHS to the 30-point victory, as 10 of its 12 players made it to the scoreboard, voiding the explosive debut of Eucon’s Allen Yu. Yu exploded for 43 points in a nearly one-man show for the Blazers.

The Eucon captain nailed all the team’s 17 points in the first quarter, which ended with Eucon up by only a deuce. While Yu carried Eucon on his shoulder in the opening canto, the Dolphins shared the load early with eight players scoring in that period.

Yu continued hitting successive baskets for Eucon in the second quarter, however MHS countered with its balance offense to take the driver’s seat and end the first half with a double-digit spread, 38-26. Yu logged the Blazers’ first 6 points, while Rafael Wang drilled the other field goal for Eucon in the second frame. On MHS’ side, Michael Espinosa matched Eucon’s entire output and four of his teammates chipped in at least 3 points each.

The Dolphins kept their even distribution of points in the third period to move ahead further, while the tireless Yu kept his hot shooting, Yu gained 11 more points and the rest of the Blazers were held to a field goal and two charities, while MHS drew at least 6 markers apiece from three players and four also lit up the scoreboard. By the end of the third, MHS registered a 16-point lead, 56-40, and then completely took over in the fourth to start its bid this season on a winning note.

The Dolphins finished runner-up to Tinian High School last season. The Stallions notched back-to-back championships last year after edging the Dolphins in the finals, 84-78.
In the junior varsity division, MHS also leaned on the depth of its roster to down the Torchbearers.

The Dolphins led the JV match from start to finish, withstanding Agape’s challenge late in the first quarter.

MHS launched an 11-0 scoring in the first seven minutes of play with Djay Ong anchoring the Dolphins’ good start with his 6 points. John Darag had a triple and Wilfredo Francisco made a layup in that opening salvo.

The Dolphins went on to end the first period with a 13-5 lead. Tao Yang broke the spell for Agape with a short jumper. He also had an and-1 play in the closing seconds of the opening canto. The Torchbearer forward kept going in the second half, starting the period with back-to-back baskets, followed by Jomac Manzano’z point-blank shot that moved Agape within 2, 11-13.
A triple from Darag brought order back to MHS, which kept control of the match in the remaining minutes of the first half and were never threatened in the second.

Varsity Game
MHS 82 – Espinosa 16, Gabaldon 13, Factor 11, Kwon 8, Mendoza 7, Ano 7, Cayading 5, Capuyon 4, Malonzo 4, Iglecias 3.
Eucon 52 – Yu 43, Li 4, R. Wang 3, Ren 1, Zheng 1.
Scoring by quarters: 15-17, 38-26, 56-40, 82-52.