Lagooners fight back to beat Ochobu in Rocball thriller

The Lagooners were in good shape at the start of the fourth set, then lost their lead, but were able to recover just in time to beat Ochobu, 53-51, in the conclusion of their 2005 World Organized Rocball High School League match yesterday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

As reported earlier, both teams headed into the fourth set knotted up at 37 apiece after playing three sets Tuesday. The match had to be continued yesterday as time expired before the start of the fourth set.

After taking the first and third sets, the Lagooners made a strong opening charge in the fourth and quickly jumped ahead for an early advantage. The team blasted three kees and a xunk and seemed to have control with a 9-4 lead.

Things took a turn, though, as Ochobu’s fire rekindled. With their backs against the wall, Ochobu scored an ace, a goal, and a kee that spearheaded a 10-1 run to put pressure on the Lagooners and lead, 14-10.

Ochobu, however, was not able to close out the match as the Lagooners put up a desperate charge that carried them to within a point, 13-14. A two-point smack enabled Lagooners to regain the lead, 15-14, and they finally managed to stick a fork on the win by scoring another point.

Earlier in the match, the Lagooners were able to take the first set, 15-7, despite Ochobu’s goal by Ichnis Kapwich. The Lagoonres struggled early and experienced several mishaps on first serve before settling down and connecting for three aces and two kees.

Ochobu came back strong in the second set and took a 23-20 lead in the overall tally with a 16-5 win, but the Lagooners came back to life and retaliated in the third set, 17-14, with a stronger effort to force a tie.

The Lagooners had a goal and an ace in the set, and had to work for a point at a time to pull off the win and knot the score at 37-37 with one set left in regulation.

Tito Francisco led the Lagooners with 15 points after blasting away four aces, two kees, and a goal, while Kapwich led Ochobu and was the game’s heavy hitter with four aces, a xunk, two kees, and a goal to finish with 17 points.

Rocball action continues today with B-n-S and Just For Fun making their debut.

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