Defending champs continue strong play in MISA

Defending champions Marianas High School Lady Dolphins and Mt. Carmel School Knights played well Friday night in the 2006 MISA High School Basketball League at the MHS Gymnasium.

In the opener, the Lady Dolphins continued to roll in the right direction and improved their win-loss card to 2-0 this season with a 59-39 victory over the Kagman High School Lady Ayuyus.

The Lady Dolphins were given a run for their money in the first three periods before kicking into turbo mode and streaking ahead for the 20-point win.

Marianas High only led by two points, 14-12, after the first period as Kagman was also determined to pick up its second win of the season. Reigning most valuable player Werlly Quitugua put up big numbers for the Lady Dolphins, scoring half of the teams points.

The neck-and-neck battle carried over to the second period as the Lady Ayuyus kept within striking distance and refused to let their opponents pull away. The Lady Dolphins managed to pad their lead, though, and headed into the break up by three points, 26-23.

The game remained tightly fought in the third as Lynette Babauta prevented Kagman from falling too far away, knocking in eight points. Only four other points were scored for Kagman while the Lady Dolphins punched in 16 points to increase their lead to seven points, 42-35.

Things took a big turn in the fourth as the defending champions heated up, while the Lady Ayuyus struggled. Marlene Agbanlog broke loose for nine points and the Marianas High cage belles lit up the scoreboards for 18 points while holding their opponents to just three points for the 20-point victory.

Emy Oiterong put up another strong performance with 20 points to lead the Lady Dolphins, while Quitugua and Agbanlog finished with 15 and 13 points.

Babauta and Ma. Janellie Guiao led Kagman with 12 and eight points.

Meanwhile, Dan Barcinas and Kovin Ogumoro came up with clutch baskets in the fourth quarter to lead the Knights to their second win in three games with a 76-67 win over the boys of Kagman.

Kagman had control in the early goings, though, as Jon Ada, Allen Moses, and Keone Chariton combined for 14 points and helped the team open with a 22-16 lead.

The Knights weren’t too concerned though and began to fight back, eventually pulled even and headed into the break tied 37-37.

The Knights swung favor to their corner and seemed to be pulling away but the Ayuyus weren’t ready to let go and closed the third quarter with a run to pull to within four points, 54-58, when Moses converted a fastbreak layup.

With their fans cheering them on, the Ayuyus opened the fourth quarter with a bang as Raymond Ruivivor nailed a runner in the lane and Don Teregeyo put in a layup to tie the score at 58-58.

Unfortunately, the Ayuyus were held scoreless and the Knights went on a 12-0 run with Ogumoro and Barcinas brothers, Dan and Aitau, taking credit for the points.

The Ayuyus finally stopped the run on a free throw by Allen, 59-70, but didn’t threaten the Knights’ lead.

Dan Barcinas led the Knights with a game-high 28 points, while Ogumoro finished with 12 points.

Moses led the Ayuyus with 24 points, while Ada and Teregeyo contributed 12 and 11 points.

Girls

MHS 59 – Oiterong 20, Quitugua 15, Agbanlog 13, Mack 6, Padilla 5, Tucliud 2.

KHS 39 – Babauta 12, Guiao 8, Diaz 6, Mabel 6, Reyes 3, Igisaiar 2, Kaainou 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-12, 26-23, 42-35, 59-39.

Referees: Joe Mettao and Jonathan Tenorio.

Boys

MCS 76 – D. Barcinas 28, Ogumoro 12, A. Barcinas 9, Naraja 8, Paez 8, Kintol 6, Tenorio 2, Nicolas 2.

KHS 67 – Moses 24, Ada 12, Teregeyo 11, Chariton 6, Ruivivor 6, Repeki 4, Tellei 2, Degracia 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-22, 37-37, 58-54, 76-67.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Eric Artillaga.