MCS Varsity rips KHS JV

Mt. Carmel School Varsity’s Merrick Toves, left, takes the ball away from Kagman High School Junior Varsity’s Darren Pangelinan during a rebound play in their game in the 2019-2020 Public School System Interscholastic Boys High School Basketball League yesterday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Mt. Carmel School Varsity stood out in the battle of undefeated teams in the 2019-2020 Public School System Interscholastic Boys High School Basketball League following a 41-23 rout of Kagman High School Junior Varsity yesterday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The Knights improved their record to 9-0, grabbing the No. 1 spot in the team standings from the Ayuyus, who saw their nine-game winning streak ending as they could not keep up with MCS Varsity’s steady offensive game.

Matthew Richardson starred in MCS Varsity’s 18-point victory in the highly-anticipated match versus Kagman after firing 19 points. He scored 14 in the first half, including 10 of the Knights’ last 14 markers to hand their squad a promising 25-13 halftime advantage.

Richardson, who also nailed Mt. Carmel’s first two field goals off a layup and a triple, started for the Knights anew in the second half and added two more baskets to widen the gap further. He was relieved from the game midway in the second half with the Knights comfortably on top, 35-17.

Three other Mt. Carmel players chipped in at least two field goals apiece with Jeremiah Diaz, Merrick Toves, and Chioni Dela Cruz combining for 14 markers in the easy victory.

Jay Art Palmes and Calvin Babauta had 7 points each for KHS JV, which drew only one basket apiece from three other players.

Meanwhile, the league-leading MCS Varsity will close out the elimination round tomorrow, as it plays back-to-back games in the last day of the regular season.

MCS Varsity will first duel Saipan International School at 6pm on the south court before battling MCS 2.

Mt. Carmel School Varsity’s Aven Evangelista, center, looks to pass the ball to his teammates, as he is up against Kagman High School Junior Varsity’s Vincent Satur, right, and Dillan Cruz during their game in the 2019-2020 Public School System Interscholastic Boys High School Basketball League yesterday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Also set for the final day on the north court are the following pairings: MCS 2 against MHS 3; MHS Varsity versus KHS Varsity; and KHS JV opposite Saipan Southern High School. Da’Ok Academy is supposed to complete the schedule on the north court, but the former had already pulled out from the tournament and will be forfeiting its remaining match. Saipan Southern will have another game tomorrow, as it takes on Agape Christian School on the south court at 4:30pm, while KHS 3 and KHS Varsity collide in the second match at 5:15pm.

The Top 10 teams after the eliminations will advance to the playoffs, which will be played on March 13 and 14.

MCS Varsity 41—Richardson 19, Dela Cruz 6, Diaz 4, Toves 4, Naraja 3, King 3, Lajara 2.
KHS JV 23—Palmes 7, Babauta 7, Cruz 4, D. Pangelinan 3, Masga 2.
Scoring by halves: 25-13, 41-23.