Torchbearers stun Mantas

Agape Christian School 1’s Kobe Yang drives against two Saipan Southern High School defenders during their game in the CCOPSA caging yesterday at the Torchbearers’ court in Gualo Rai. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Agape Christian School 1 came from behind to upset the favored Saipan Southern High School, 88-85, in the 2018-2019 Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Varsity Basketball League yesterday at the former’s court in Gualo Rai.

With the Torchbearers clinging to an 86-85 lead with just 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Kobe Yang knocked in a pair of crucial free throws to widen the gape and complete Agape 1’s furious comeback bid. Adi Ordona and Clarenz Contreras each managed to launch shots from the 3-point land, but both attempts just hit the back iron, as they failed to send the thrilling game into overtime.

Besides drilling the clutch free throws, Yang also ignited the Torchbearers’ fiery run, scoring 20 of his 26 points in the second half. The Agape 1 captain highlighted his impressive game with a string of 10 points in the third quarter to help his team grab the lead, 62-61. Lee drove for a layup to put the Torchbearers on top and overhauled a 11-point deficit at the break, 32-43.

Agape 1 kept going in the fourth and went on to pour 56 points in the last two periods to complete the come-from-behind victory.

Jonathan Xiong top-scored for Agape 1 with his 27 markers before exiting the game due to a muscle cramp. He had 10 of his 11 free throws in the second quarter, preventing the Mantas from pulling away. Silas Xu and Mark Shao also did their share in the victory after adding 15 and 10 points, respectively.

Ervin Villarin had 22 points to lead the Mantas, while Rafael Ordona logged 15 markers, and Gregory Deleon Guererro and Clarenz Contreras submitted 11 points apiece.

Despite the sorry loss, Saipan Southern kept the No. 2 spot in the team standings with its 10-3 record, but it is now tied with the surging Mount Carmel School 1, while Agape 1 ended its two game skid and now holds a 7-4 card.

MCS 1 notched win No. 10 after thrashed MCS 2, 90-40, at the Koblerville Gymnasium,

Mt. Carmel 1 buried MCS 2 (3-10) in an avalanche of three pointers, as the former recorded 11 treys. Mikel Johnson finished with a game-high 21 markers for MCS 1, while Chioni Dela Cruz chipped in 19 points, 15 were from beyond the arc. Juan Blanco joined in on the 3-point barrage with all of his 12 points coming from the parking lot.

Over at Grace Christian Academy’s court in Navy Hill, Kagman High School edged out the Eagles, 45-38.

Dean Blake and Kobe Lifoifoi led the Ayuyus’ charge, scoring 9 points apiece. Marcky Masilungan and William Kim countered for the Eagles with 11 and 9 markers, respectively, but their efforts were not enough to ground Kagman.

The Ayuyus remained on top with their 13-1 slate, while GCA stumbled to a 3-10 record.

ACS 1 88—Xiong 27, Yang 26, Xu 15, Shao 10, Wang 6, Chen 2, Yuan 2.
SSHS 85—Villarin 22, Ordona 15, Contreras 11, Deleon Guererro 11, Matalog 8, Laniyo 7, De Guzman 6, Lagmay 5.
Scoring by quarters: 14-20, 32-43, 62-61, 88-85.