SIS bounces back, tops NMIS

Saipan International School’s Dylan Mister, left, speeds up for a fastbreak play during their game against Northern Marianas International School in the CCOPSA caging yesterday at the Geckos court in As Lito. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Saipan International School recovered quickly after outclassing Northern Marianas International School, 42-27, in the Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Middle School Basketball League yesterday.

The Geckos, who bowed to Agape Christian School in their season debut last Wednesday (20-70) this time took off on the right foot at their home turf in As Lito and played no let up against the Phoenix to make it to the win column in their second attempt.

Daniel Nam and Dylan Mister fueled SIS’ hot start, as the former netted 8 points and the latter tallied 4 markers. Justin Mateo was the lone scorer for NMIS in the opening quarter with the guard nailing two jumpers. Nam and Mister cut off passing lanes and chased down rebounds and converted these defensive plays into fastbreak points and second-chance opportunities to lift the Geckos to a 12-4 advantage at the end of the first period.

Then in the second quarter, a new pair stepped up for SIS with William Xu nailing a trey and Danny Lim hitting a shot in the post for the Geckos. Mister also scored in the second frame with his fastbreak layup giving SIS a double-digit spread at the break, 19-9.

While three players teamed up for the Geckos in the second canto, NMIS again leaned on Mateo, who accounted for all of the Phoenix’s 5 points.

The same story happened when the game resumed with Mateo making the only field goal for NMIS in the third period, as the rest of his teammates were silenced by the Geckos’ suffocating defense. On offense, Lim led SIS with his 8 points, while Mister and Xu chipped in 4 each, as the Geckos extended their advantage to 35-11, going into the final canto.

In the fourth period, the Phoenix finally drew contributions from other players with Dindo Ferrer knocking in two 3-pointers and a shot in the post and Luke Sobremisana adding 4. Mateo also registered 4 markers, but these were not enough to bring NMIS back in the game and give the team back-to-back wins after prevailing in its debut (versus Seventh Day Adventist).

Meanwhile, Agape swept its double-header against Grace Christian Academy.

In the boys division, the Torchbearers scorched the Eagles, 62-14. Agape also had an easy win in the girls match, 45-20.

SIS 42—Mister 13, Lim 10, Nam 8, Xu 7, Gregoire 2, Christian 2
NMIS 27 —Mateo 15, Ferrer 8, Sobremisana 4.
Scoring by quarters: 12-4. 19-9, 35-11, 42-27