Lady Dolphins pummel Lady Rays

Marianas High School’s Lady Dolphins had a smooth sailing during their debut game in the varsity division of the 2008-2009 MISO Basketball League walloping Saipan Southern High School’s Lady Manta Rays, 59-17, Friday night at the MHS Gymnasium.

The Lady Dolphins’ firepower was simply too much to handle for the Lady Rays, whose total points were even lower than MHS’s production in the fourth quarter alone.

MHS’ holdovers Lalaine Pagarao, Ira Palero, and Riza Tacliad delivered as usual for the Lady Dolphins and drew enough contributions from newcomers Lia Rangamar and Jacque Wonenberg.

Rangamar scored 15 points in her debut matching Palero’s production, while Pagarao chipped in 10. Tacliad and Wonenberg nailed eight and seven points, respectively.

Rangamar, Palero, Wonenberg, and Tacliad made it into the scoreboard for MHS in the first quarter.

Southern had an anemic start with Janina Maratita and Wilani Sikyang making only one basket apiece allowing the Lady Dolphins to take a 15-4 lead.

Nothing had changed for the Manta Rays in the second quarter, as far as their offense was concerned, as they had another four-point performance in that period.

The Lady Dolphins slowed down a bit in the second canto drilling only seven points, but still took a double-digit lead at halftime, 22-8.

The brief break gave the Dolphins time to regain their shooting touch en route to a 16-point output in the third period.

For the Lady Rays, their miseries on offense continued in the third, as they tallied only one fieldgoal and a free throw.

Southern scored its biggest points in the fourth—six markers—but still way of the mark of the Lady Dolphins, who had a breakout game in the final canto firing 21 points.

With Rangamar and Wonenberg playing beautiful music with MHS’ old stalwarts, coach Jose Tumaquip is hoping to bring the title back to the Lady Dolphins.

MHS lost to the Chelsea-Ruluked led Lady Ayuyus in last season’s finals.

Ruluked had moved to the mainland mid last year, but the Lady Ayuyus are still favored to make it to the finals.

The defending champion opened the season Wednesday night and defeated Mt. Carmel School, 52-42.
[B] Scores:

MHS 59[/B]—Rangamar 15, Palero 15, Pagarao 10, Tacliad 8, Wonenberg 7, Guzman 2, Benavente 2.
[B] SSHS 17[/B]—Sikyang 6, Mediola 5, Maratita 2, Duenas 2, Castro 2.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 15-4, 22-8, 38-11, 59-17