Ayuyus seize No. 1 spot from Mantas

Kagman High School dislodged Saipan Southern High School from the top spot in the team standings in the 2018-2019 Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Varsity Basketball League after cruising to an 80-68 victory last Friday at Koblerville Gymnasium.

The Ayuyus caught fire in the second half, unloading 40 points to scorch the Manta Rays by double digits. Kagman held single-digit advantages after the first two quarters—22-19 and 40-34—before they upped the ante in the second half to grab the division lead. Kagman now has an 8-1 record, while Saipan Southern absorbed its first loss, dropping to a 7-1 slate.

The Ayuyus approached last weekend’s match with a chip on their shoulder, as their only loss of the season was against the Manta Rays.

“It feels great that we redeemed ourselves after our first loss against SSHS in [our home court] in Kagman. Due to the loss against Southern, I knew that we had to step up our game and do better,” captain Dean Blake said. “I gave it my all and I’m glad that the effort didn’t go to waste. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates though.”

Blake—the Ayuyus’ starting center—carried his team to victory with an outstanding performance on both ends of the floor. He had a double-double, scoring 37 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Blake’s teammates backed him up in the rematch with the Manta Rays with Henry Aguon and J.D Magofna adding and 11 points, respectively.

Rafael Ordona had 28 points to lead Saipan Southern, while Ervin Villarin netted 10. The two Manta Rays failed to get the help they needed from their teammates, as the Ayuyus effectively clamped down on the defensive end to neutralize their foes.

In other results last Friday, Grace Christian Academy ended its four-game losing skid after outclassing Agape Christian School 2, 35-17, at the Eagles’ court in Navy Hill.

Torchbearers 2 clung to a one-point advantage by halftime, but ceded the lead after GCA went on a 25-7 scoring run in the second half

Steven Balakrishna led the Eagles with his 11 points, while Seung Jun Baek and Ryan Choi chipped in 9 and 7 markers, respectively. Alex Kim, Marcky Masilungan, Keoni Yarofalir, and Spencer Palacios also hit the board for GCA.

The Eagles now have a 3-6 mark for sixth place, while Agape 2 fell to a 0-9 card.

Meanwhile, Agape will be hosting a double-header today, with the Lady Torchbearers colliding against the Lady Eagles at 3:30pm and ACS 1 battling GCA at 4:30pm. Over at the Koblerville Gymnasium, MCS 1 will be facing Kagman at 3:30pm.

KHS 80—Blake 37, Aguon 13, Magofna 11, Blas 5, Sacdalan 5, Lifoifoi 3, Mustafa Augustino 2, Quitano 2. Jeremiah 2.
SSHS 68—Ordona 28, Villarin 10, Contreras 6, Ichihara 5, Sabangan 5, Perez 4, Deleon Guererro 4, Magno 3, Matalog 3
Scoring by quarters: 22-19, 40-34, 61-47, 80-60.

GCA 35—Balakrishna 11, Baek 9, Choi 7, Kim 2, Masilungan 2, Palacios 2, Yarofalir 2.
ACS 2 17—Dai 9, Qi 4, Fu 2, Joel 2.
Scoring by quarters: 6-10, 10-11, 20-15, 35-17.