Late game heroics save Knights

All-star guard Dan Barcinas again proved to be a lethal weapon on the hardcourt as he buried a jumper with 1.5 seconds remaining in overtime to lift defending champion Mt. Carmel School Knights over powerhouse Saipan Southern High School Manta Rays in Friday’s 2006 MISA High School Basketball League action.

With fans from both schools screaming their hearts out in support of their team, rematch No. 2 of last year’s finals turned out to be as exciting as it could possibly be at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

With the score knotted at 97-97, Barcinas received an inbounds pass, dribble to the wing, and buried a long jumper that brought the Knights’ fans off their seats for a 99-97 victory.

Barcinas and company were in control in the early goings before the Mantas exploded late in regulation.

The Knights took a 19-11 lead after the first 10 minutes of play as Barcinas buried a couple of triples plus another field goal.

The Mantas recovered from their slow start and were able to inch a bit closer in the second quarter. Power forward Jason Bahillo led the Saipan Southern surge as he muscled his way for nine points in the second stanza and got plenty of help from Ernest Duenas, who knocked in five points to help the Mantas go into halftime down by just seven points, 31-38.

Seeking redemption from last year’s finals loss and an earlier loss this season, the Mantas staged a strong comeback at the start of the second half. Jack Lizama broke his silence with impressive drives and drilled 11 points while Bill Babauta added a field goal and three free throws to spearhead the attack, which resulted in the Mantas trailing by just two points, 54-56, with one period remaining.

Steve Kim tried his best in preventing the Mantas from taking over in the period, earning 11 markers.

The two teams were locked at 75-75 with 1:56 left when Lizama went down with an apparent injury, brining concern to the Mantas crew.

Lizama was quick to return to the ball game capped a 4-0 run with 1:26 left that gave Saipan Southern a 79-75 lead.

Barcinas quickly responded with another bomb, 78-79, but missed two free throws with 50.2 seconds. Fortunately for the Knights, the Mantas turned the ball over while fighting for the rebound and Barcinas was able to knock in a triple with 41.8 seconds left for an 81-79 lead.

The Knights padded their lead on a bucket by Matt Kintol, 83-79, with 26.5 seconds remaining, but the Mantas refused to give in and scored three free throws to pull closer. A free throw by the Knights gave the team an edge, but Babauta was able to save the Southern boys as he nailed a basket with 9.6 seconds on the clock, forcing overtime.

After a bit of confusion to start the extra period, the teams resumed their push. Again, the Knights seemed in full control and built a seven point lead before the Mantas came surging back again, taking advantage of the Knight’s clock mismanagement.

Free throws by Lizama tied the game at 95-95 with 40.4 seconds left. The young gun nailed another two from the charity line for a 97-95 lead, but free throws by Barcinas and Jeff Deleon Guerrero knotted the score, setting the stage for Barcinas’ late game heroics.

Barcinas finished with a game-high 31 points while Kim and Deleon Guerrero had 18 and 15 points for the Knights. Kovin Ogumoro added 13 points while Aitau Barcinas and Robert Naraja chipped in 10 points apiece.

Lizama paced the Mantas with 25 points while Babauta and Bahillo contributed 20 and 17 points.

Earlier, the Kagman High School Lady Ayuyus defeated the Lady Manta Rays, 38-30.

Saipan Southern dominated the first period for a 15-6 lead, but was outscored in the final three quarters.

Crystal Mendiola led KHS with 11 points while Sorene Maratita had seven points to lead Saipan Southern.

Girls
KHS 38 – Mendiola 11, Babauta 8, Reyes 7, Mabel 7, Diaz 3, Guiao 2.

SSHS 30 – Maratita 7, Ito 6, Omar 5, Elayda 4, Coleman 4, Rios 3, Muna 1.

Scoring by quarters: 6-15, 16-21, 28-23, 38-30.

Referees: Joe Mettao and Jonathan Tenorio.

Boys

MCS 99 – D. Barcinas 31, Kim 18, Deleon Guerrero 15, Ogumoro13, A. Barcinas 10, Naraja 10, Kintol 4.

SSHS 97 – Lizama 25, Babauta 20, Ja. Bahillo 17, Dela Cruz 7, Duenas 6, Palacios 6, Basa 5, Eclevia 5, Diaz 2.

Scoring by quarters: 19-11, 38-31, 56-54, 84-84, 99-97.

Referees: Eric Artillaga and Jess Pacheco.