Manta Rays win MISA championship

With their never-say-die mentality, the Saipan Southern High School Manta Rays fought back from a double-digit deficit and got huge productions from its dynamic trio to dethrone the Mt. Carmel School Knights in overtime, 85-77, Wednesday at a jam-packed Marianas High School Gymnasium to win their second title in three years in the MISA High School Basketball League.

The team struggled in the early goings and managed to pump in just 10 points, while allowing Mt. Carmel to take command as the Knights broke open a 12-point lead with 22 points in the first 10 minutes of action.

The Mantas woke up and began to handle their business at a more aggressive level in the second period. Preston Basa, Jack Lizama, and Bill Babauta came to life as the Mantas cut their deficit by outscoring the Knights, 24-18, and trailed by six at the break, 34-40.

Determined to keep his Knights ahead, all-around standout Dan Barcinas stepped up and took control, knocking in a triple, two field goals, and two free throws. The Mantas, however, were still able to inch closer as Lizama went berserk for another 11 points to push Southern to within three points, 53-56, heading into the final period of regulation.

Basa then came up with another big shot as he connected from 3-point land a little over a minute into the period to knot the score at 56-56, then Brian Chan hit his only basket to give the Mantas 58-56 lead.

Mt. Carmel responded with a 5-0 run to regain a three-point lead, but Basa came through again and hit another triple to tie the game again, 61-61, with 7:03 remaining. Three free throws by Steven Kim and a basket by Aitau Barinas gave the returned favor to the Knights, but the Mantas refused to give in and were able to pull even again when Lizama stole the ball and went coast-to-coast for a layup, 66-66, with 5:23 remaining.

Lizama hit a triple on the Mantas’ next possession for a 69-66 lead, and Jeff Deleon Guerrero responded with another long jumper for the Knights to pull the team within a point, 68-69.

The Mantas got another two points on a basket by Babauta with 3:51 left on the clock, but would not score for a while, enabling the Knights to surge back. Kovin Ogumoro tied the game at 71-71 with 57.9 seconds left on a putback, and Dan Barcinas, who hit a long jumper with 1.5 seconds remaining to lift the Knights over the Mantas in their final regular season meeting, came through again with a perimeter jumper with just 24.2 seconds left for a 73-71 lead.

Basa then missed two free throws but got the ball back. He was blocked by Barcinas, however, the Mantas maintained possession and Lizama drove baseline, hitting a tough layup with just 4.3 seconds left before racing downcourt and blocking a 3-point attempt by Kim to force overtime.

The two teams traded the first four baskets of the extra period and in the process, the Knights received a huge blow as team second-leading scorer Jeff Deleon Guerrero exited with cramps.

Basa then nailed another triple for the 80-77 lead. He added two more free throws with 55.1 seconds left, and hit one-of-two with 28.9 seconds remaining to seal the deal, as the Knights were not able to connect on their jumpers.

Lizama won most valuable player honors as he led the team with 27 points, while Basa and Babauta were strong in support with 26 and 21 points.

Barcinas led the Knights with 24 points, while Deleon Guerrero and Aitau Barcinas added 15 and 12 points. Kim had 10 points.

“The boys did an outstanding job. They listened and this is the product right here,” Southern coach Joe Punzalan said as he held the championship trophy. “They played outstanding defense and that’s the only reason why we won because Mt. Carmel is a force to reckon with and I am totally honored to even get to the championship and play against this team.”

Meanwhile, MISA officials also presented awards to the schools after the bout.

Championship trophies were awarded to the Mantas and the Lady Dolphins, and first runner-up trophies for the Knights and the Lady Rays. The Lady Rays and Dolphins won the Sportsmanship awards, while Lizama and Lady Dolphins senior Werlly Quitugua took home MVP honors.

Trophies were donated by Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela.

SSHS 85 – Lizama 27, Basa 26, Babauta 21, Ja. Bahillo 6, Eclevia 2, Chan 2.
MCS 77 – D. Barcinas 25, Deleon Guerrero 15, A. Barcinas 12, Kim 10, Ogumoro 8, Naraja 6, Kintol 4.
Scoring by quarters: 10-22, 34-40, 53-57, 73-73, 85-77 (OT).
Referees: Eric Artillaga, Jess Pacheco, and Noel Delos Santos.