Dolphins bounce back with win over Ayuyus

The Marianas High School Dolphins bounced back from their first loss of the season by stuffing the Kagman High School Ayuyus, 81-72, Wednesday in the ongoing 2006 MISA High School Basketball League at the MHS Gymnasium.

The Marianas High cagers opened the game with an 8-2 run and looked like they were going to blow the game wide open until Allen Moses spearheaded a comeback that brought the Ayuyus to within four points, 12-16, after the first 10 minutes of play.

Kagman was able to turn their deficit into an advantage as the team exploded for 24 points in the second quarter, while holding the Dolphins to 18 points, to take a 36-34 lead into halftime.

Jon Ada and Steve Tellei combined for 11 points for the Ayuyus, while Joemar Tumaquip kept the Dolphins from faltering by tossing in 10 points.

Both teams were even as the second half started. Tumaquip continued to have his way on the hardcourt and combined with Anirut Tebuteb for 13 points, as the Dolphins were able to pull even, sending the game into the fourth period with the score knotted at 52-52.

As they’ve done throughout the season, the Dolphins put up their best attack in the final 10 minutes.

Mario Taitano nailed a triple plus two field goals, and three other cagers scored at least four points apiece to help the Dolphins distance themselves from Kagman.

The Ayuyus weren’t out of contention though and kept the pressure on as Moses and Keone Chariton took care of much of the offense with 17 points combined.

The team ended up with a respectable 20 points in the period, but it was not enough as the Dolphins produced a better offensive show and lit up the scoreboards for 29 points to leave with their third win in four games.

Tumaquip led the Dolphins with 23 points, while Taitano and Tebuteb supported him with 13 and 12 points.

Moses finished with a team-high 18 points, while Chariton and Ada contributed 13 and 10 points for the Ayuyus, who are now 0-4.

As reported earlier, the Lady Dolphins defeated the Lady Ayuyus, 60-46, in the day’s opener.

MHS 81 – Tumaquip 23, Taitano 13, Tebuteb 12, Magday 9, Phillip 7, Omar 6, Borja 4, Tarkong 3, N. Mateo 2, Pangelinan 2.
KHS 72 – Moses 18, Chariton 13, Ada 10, Teregeyo 9, Tellei 7, Ruivivor 6, Villanueva 3, De Gracia 2, Iakopo 2, Santos 2.
Scoring by quarters: 16-12, 34-36, 52-52, 81-72.
Referees: Jess Pacheco and Eric Artillaga.