Dolphins slip past Ayuyus in MISA

The Marianas High School Dolphins ably defended their home court after pulling off a nail-biting 69-66 victory over the Kagman High School Ayuyus yesterday in the 2006 MISA High School Basketball League at the MHS Gymnasium.

Sandy Borja out-jumped several players going for the rebound and tipped in the ball with 24 seconds left in the game to give the Dolphins a one-point lead. Javon Tarkong then buried two free throws with 12.3 seconds remaining to lead the Dolphins to the win.

The Dolphins, who won their second straight after an opening day loss actually trailed by a huge margin as Kagman used an explosive first half to streak ahead.

Jon Ada and Allen Moses combined for 16 points and helped Kagman take a 20-15 lead after the first quarter, then Kagman’s defense took over and prevented the Dolphins from getting into a rhythm in the second period for a 37-23 lead.

Despite the 14-point deficit, the Dolphins refused to let the game slip away. The team came out firing in the third period and pulled to within 10 points, 31-41, on a 3-point play by Dan Mateo.

Kagman was able to respond as Keoni Chariton nailed a triple of his own, 44-31, but the Dolphins went on a 6-1 run that whittled the lead down to single digits, 37-45.

Kagman again quickly replied as Chariton drove the lane for a bucket and Steve Tellei buried a 3-pointer for a 52-37 lead. The Dolphins were still able to close in though and trailed by just six points, 49-55, heading into the final period.

The Dolphins’ comeback, however, was far from over. The team was able to close to within a field goal, 53-55, and finally leveled the score at 57-57 on a layup by Joemar Tumaquip. Following yet another unsuccessful offensive thrust by Kagman, the Dolphins got a taste of the lead when Tarkong nailed a bucket, 59-57, with 6:13 remaining.

The Ayuyus were quick to tie the game and regained the lead as Raymond Ruivivor scooted in for a layup and Moses connected on a perimeter jumper, 61-59, but the Dolphins kept their cool, and went back in front on consecutive buckets by Tarkong and a jumper by Gary Phillip, 65-61, with only 1:35 left in regulation.

Ada then came up big in the paint as he knocked in another bucket, while also drawing the foul. He hit the free throw to make it a one-point game, 64-65.

The two teams went back and forth, both failing to score, until an MHS turnover led to an open layup by Don Teregeyo to give Kagman a 66-65 lead with just 31 seconds remaining, setting the stage for Borja and Tarkong’s heroics.

Tarkong led the Dolphins with 28 points, while Tumaquip contributed 17 points.

Ada and Moses paced the Ayuyus with 19 and 13 points, while Chariton and Teregeyo had 11 points.

MHS 69 – Tarkong 28, Tumaquip 17, Magday 8, Omar 4, Borja 4, D. Mateo 4, Manansala 2, Phillip 2.
KHS 66 – Ada 19, Moses 13, Chariton 11, Teregeyo 11, Tellei 5, Ruivivor 4, De Gracia 2, Mira 1.
Scoring by quarters: 15-20, 23-37, 49-55, 69-66.
Referees: Joe Mettao and Jonathan Tenorio.