Second half explosion lifts Manta Rays

The Manta Rays of Saipan Southern High School exploded in the second half to start their campaign in the 2006 Marianas Interscholastic Sports Association High School Basketball League with a bang Monday evening.

The Mantas kicked into turbo mode and dominated the final two periods to beat the Kagman High School Ayuyus, 78-58, at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The boys from the south kicked the game off on the right track, going on an 11-2 run to start the contest. The Ayuyus, though, were able to strike back before the end of the first canto and trailed by just two points, 18-20, at the sound of the first quarter buzzer.

Both teams matched each other well in the second quarter, but it was Kagman High that stormed ahead as Jesse Villanueva and Roy Ruivivor combined for 10 points with each hitting a shot from long range. Don Teregeyo, who suits up for the Garapan Rollers in other youth leagues, came up with the big basket as he retrieved a loose ball and got his shot to fall to give Kagman its first lead of the game, 32-30. Kagman went on to score two more baskets to close the half with a 36-30 lead.

Pumped up by a little pep talk from coach Joe Punzalan, the Saipan Southern cagers returned to the court and quickly turned the game to their favor. Jack Lizama and Preston Basa knocked in seven and six points to spearhead an explosion that matched the team’s entire first half production. Saipan Southern heated up for 30 points, while playing tough defense and limiting the Ayuyus to nine points to turn their halftime deficit into a 15-point lead, 60-45, with one period remaining.

The Mantas had no trouble closing out the bout, outscoring their opponents 18-13 in the final minutes for the 20-point victory margin.

Basa and Lizama led the Mantas with 17 and 14 points, while Teregeyo and Ruivivor did the same for the Ayuyus with 17 and 14 points as well.

As reported earlier, the Lady Ayuyus were able to edge the Saipan Southern cagebelles, 37-36.

MISA action returns today as defending champion Mt. Carmel School Knights begin their defense against the Marianas High School Dolphins. The boys play at 6pm following the girls’ bout.

SSHS 78 – Basa 27, Lizama 14, Duenas 9, Dela Cruz 8, Eclevia 6, Chan 6, Je. Bahillo 5, Palacios 4, Maratita 3, Ferrer 2, Del Rosario 2, Ja. Bahillo 2.

KHS 58 – Teregeyo 17, Ruivivor 14, Villanueva 7, Tellei 6, De Gracia 5, Dalan 5, Ada 4.

Scoring by quarters: 20-18, 30-36, 60-45, 78-58.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Eric Artillaga.