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Mwaliyas escapes in o-kon
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Posted on Oct 21 2005
Defending champion Mwaliyas was given a run for their money yesterday before emerging victorious in the second set of o-kon to beat Black Magic, 60-57, in the ongoing 2005 World Organized Rocball High School League at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.
As reported earlier, Mwaliyas was in the driver seat after posting a 40-26 lead midway through the third set Thursday.
Action resumed yesterday with the defending champions up 11-6 in the third, and Mwaliyas wasted no time in driving Black Magic into a deeper hole by quickly taking the set 15-6. Pedro Iguel connected for a kill, Shane Yamada drilled an ace, and the team earned another point to head into the fourth set with an 18-point cushion, 44-26.
With their backs against the wall, Black Magic dug deep into their bag of tricks and began their comeback campaign. Needing to win the fourth set to force o-kon—Rocball term for overtime—the Black Magic players strung up strong serves with three aces and three kees, and kept Mwaliyas from getting into a rhythm for a stunning 16-2 victory.
Black Magic was still in a hole, needing to win two sets in overtime while Mwaliyas only needed to take one set.
With odds against them, the one-two punch of Dior Jones and Julius Saito fueled Black Magic’s push and the team made quick work of their opponents to force a do-or-die session with a 12-4 victory. The set was tightly fought in the early goings as both teams were knotted at 3-3, but a kee by Jones ignited a 9-1 run to end the set.
Just when it seemed Black Magic had control of the game’s momentum, Mwaliyas settled down, recovered, and bruised the ball the best they could to swing favor back to their corner and survive for the win.
Jones and Iguel led their teams and finished as the game’s heavy hitters with 10 points. Jones had four aces and a kee, while Iguel connected for three aces and two kees.
High school Rocball action continues Monday with the Lagooners taking on B-n-S.
For more information about the league, contact James Feger at 664-3810.
