Ayuyus win second straight, Lady Dolphins stay perfect

The Kagman High School Ayuyus picked up their second straight victory in the ongoing 2006 MISA High School Basketball League, while defending champion Marianas High School Lady Dolphins kept their perfect record intact Monday at the MHS Gymnasium.

After dropping their first four games of the season, the Ayuyus recorded another big win by stunning defending champion Mt. Carmel School Knights, 91-87.

The Ayuyus had a rough start, though, as Kovin Ogumoro, Robert Naraja, and Jeff Deleon Guerrero scored buckets left and right to lift the Knights to an early 25-16 lead.

The second quarter was a different story as the Ayuyus kicked their game up a level and leaned on the strong play of Jon Ada, Allen Moses, Keone Chariton, and Don Teregeyo to outscore the Knights, 28-14, and swing favor to their corner, 44-39, before halftime.

The Knights returned with a better performance to start the second half as all-around standout Dan Barcinas went off for nine points, brother Aitau added seven points, and Deleon Guerrero punched in five to enable the Knights to return the favor and light up the scoreboards for 27 points while limiting the Kagman boys to 15 points.

As a result, the Knights were on track for another win as they led, 66-59, heading into the final quarter.

It was not to be for the Knights though as Ada and Chariton converted on electrifying plays that carried the Ayuyus. Kagman was hot and sizzling as almost everything they threw up went in.

Ada showcased his skills with 12 points, Chariton pumped in eight and the Ayuyus’ fans had their prayers answered as the team outgunned their opponents, 32-21, to improve their win-loss record to 2-4.

Ada and Chariton finished with 21 and 18 points to lead the Ayuyus, while Moses and Teregeyo added 15 and 13 points. Mika Iakopo also chipped in 10 points.

Dan Barcinas led the Knights with 24 points, while Deleon Guerrero and Naraja contributed 18 and 15 points.

The Knights, who still finished on top of the team standings with a 4-2 record will have a rematch against the Ayuyus in the boys semifinals at 6pm. The other half of the semis will be played on Friday between the MHS Dolphins and the SSHS Manta Rays at 4pm. The two winners will battle for the title at 6pm on March 22.

Meanwhile, the Lady Dolphins trailed after the opening period but exploded in the second quarter and held on to beat the Lady Ayuyus, 71-63.

Lynette Babauta had the hot hand early on for the Lady Ayuyus and was a key factor in her team’s 15-14 run after connecting for eight points.

Babauta added four points to her name in the second period; however, Kagman only scored one other bucket while the Lady Dolphins used a balanced attack to burn the net for 20 points for a 34-21 lead at the break.

Big baskets by Werlly Quitugua, Shaunna Yang, and Emy Oiterong were able to hold off the Lady Ayuyus in the third stanza despite Kagman getting another eight points from Babauta.

Kagman tried to stage a comeback in the final minutes, but the Lady Dolphins were able to respond and close the game strong for their sixth straight win against no loss.

Yang led the Lady Dolphins with 17 points, while Oiterong and Quitugua had 14 and 13 points.

Babauta finished with a game-high 26 points, while Nadia Diaz and Crystal Mendiola supported with 12 and 11 points.

With the win, the Lady Dolphins earn a ticket to the finals and will play either the Lady Ayuyus or the Saipan Southern High School Lady Manta Rays, who will battle in today’s playoffs at 4pm. The winner between the two will face the Lady Dolphins at 4pm on Wednesday, March 22.

Girls

MHS 71 – Yang 17, Oiterong 14, Quitugua 13, Padilla 8, Agbanlog 8, Ermitanio 6. Tacliad 3, Palero 2.

KHS 63 – Babauta 26, Diaz 12, Mendiola 11, Guiao 6, Tudela 2, Kaainoa 2, Reyes 2, Igisaiar 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-15, 34-21, 51-45, 71-63.

Boys

KHS 91 – Ada 21, Chariton 18, Moses 15, Teregeyo 13, Iakopo 10, Degracia 6, Tellei 2, Villanueva 2, Repeki 2, Ruivivor 2.

MCS 87 – D. Barcinas 24, Deleon Guerrero 18, Naraja 15, Ogumoro 9, Paez 8, A. Barcinas 7, Kim 4, Kintol 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-25, 44-39, 59-66, 91-87.