Ayuyus overwhelm Torchbearers

Kagman High School outclassed Agape Christian School 1, 58-43, in the boys division game in the 2018-2019 Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Varsity Basketball League yesterday at the Ayuyus court.

The Torchbearers kept the Ayuyus within striking distance in the first half before the host team showed dominance in the second for the double-digit win.

Kagman and Agape 1 engaged in a back-and-forth slugfest in the first quarter that ended with the Ayuyus ahead by only a deuce, 13-11. Silas Xu drew first blood with a 3-pointer for Agape 1, but Kagman captain Dean Blake countered with an and-1 play. The opposing teams kept trading baskets in the opening period with Blake having the last say, as he made a fastbreak layup that put the Ayuyus on top.

The Ayuyus and Torchbearers continued to match each other’s efforts in the second period, as Mustafa Augustino netted 7 points for Kagman, while Jonathan Xiong fired back with four baskets for Agape. Xiong scored 8 out of their team’s 12 second-period points, but Blake and company remained on the driver’s seat at the break, 28-23.

After the Torchbearers stayed close to Kagman in the first half, the Ayuyus switched strategies in the second half and relied heavily on their reserves’ fresh legs to worn down Agape’s starters. The benchwarmers did not disappoint and the Kagman’s’ variety of lineup combinations helped them widen the gap against the Torchbearers.

Mustafa Augustino and Lifoifoi led the Ayuyus’ balance attack, as they finished with 13 and 10 points respectively. Blake added 9 points, J.D. Magofna made 8, and Henry Aguon chipped in 6 points.

Xiong top-scored for Agape with his 22 points and clearly missed the support of his teammates.

With the victory, the Ayuyus improved their record to a league-best 10-1, while the Torchbearers fell to a 5-3 card. Agape ceded the No. 3 spot to Mount Carmel School (6-3) after the loss.

Meanwhile at the Koblerville Gymnasium, Saipan Southern High School roared past Agape 2, 91-34.

Glen Matalog led the way for the Manta Rays with his 16 points, while Adi Ordona and Clarenz Contreras contributed 12 apiece. Christopher Lagmay and Jesstin Laniyo also finished in double digits for Saipan Southern with 10 points each.

Qi paced Agape 2 with his 12 markers, while Daniel Dai finished with 8 points.

The Manta Rays now hold an 8-1 record, while Agape 2 has yet to win after 10 matches.

In the second game at the Koblerville Gymnasium, MCS 2 clobbered Grace Christian Academy, 67-45.

With the win, Knights 2 (3-7) leapfrogged the Eagles (3-8) for the No. 6 spot in the team standings.

Regular season games in the league will continue tomorrow with Agape 1 and 2 squaring off at their court in Gualo Rai, Kagman hosting MCS 2, and Saipan Southern battling MCS 1 at Koblerville Gymnasium.

KHS 58—M. Augustino 13, Lifoifoi 10, Blake 9, Magofna 8, Aguon 6, Quitano 4, P. Augustino 2, Blas 2, Cruz 2, Reyes 2.
ACS 1 43—Xiong 22, Xu 7, Yang 6, Wang 4, Chen 2, Shao 2.
Scoring by quarters: 13-11, 28-23, 42-31, 58-43.