Ayuyus come up big with win over Mantas

The Kagman High School Ayuyus have put up strong performances throughout the season, only to come up a bit short at the end of games.

This was not the case Monday night as the Ayuyus pulled off a big upset and scored its first win of the season with a 60-58 victory over the Saipan Southern High School Manta Rays in the ongoing 2006 MISA High School Basketball League at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The Ayuyus were determined and finally got their prayers answered.

Their campaign began with a balanced attack in the opening period that enabled the team to take the lead as the Mantas struggled to get into a rhythm. The Mantas were limited to just eight points while the Ayuyus worked up 11 points for the three-point edge.

The slow start for both teams turned into a scoring spree in the second quarter as the rock began to fall through the hoop on more occasions. Jack Lizama pumped in six points, Preston Basa and Bill Babauta combined for nine points, and Southern closed to within a point, 31-32, at the break.

Southern has controlled the start of the second half in their past outings, but this time around, the Ayuyus were able to keep pace and actually scored a point better than their opponents to head into the final 10 minutes of play with a 45-43 lead.

Keone Chariton came up with big baskets for the Ayuyus, knocking down two shots plus a free throw, while center Jon Ada had four points.

Ada saved his best for last, though, as he made clutch baskets in the fourth quarter for eight points and that enabled the Ayuyus to match Southern’s charge and held on for the win.

Ada finished with a game-high 17 points, while Chariton added 12 points in support for Kagman, which now holds a 1-4 win-loss card.

Lizama and Babauta led Saipan Southern with 13 points apiece, while Mike Eclevia added 12 points. The loss dropped Southern’s record to 2-3.

As reported earlier, the Lady Ayuyus defeated the Lady Manta Rays before the boys got to the court, 31-28.

KHS 60 – Ada 17, Chariton 12, Teregeyo 9, Moses 8, Ruivivor 6, Villanueva 4, Tellei 2, Iakopo 2.

SSHS 58 – Lizama 13, Basa 13, Eclevia 12, Maratita 7, Babauta 6, Dela Cruz 2, Je. Bahillo 2, Blesoch 2, Diaz 2.

Scoring by quarters: 11-8. 32-31, 45-43, 60-58.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Eric Artillaga.