Shag nips Just One in o-kon

Powerhouse Shag won their third game of the season Thursday night, getting another sterling performance from Mike Olaitiman to slip by a hard-working Just One squad in the World Organized Rocball Community League, 67-57, in o-kon at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

With the win, Shag moved into first place in the team standings with a 3-1 win-loss card.

The match was tight from the start as both teams responded well to each other’s attacks, especially from behind the service line. Ben and Jonathan Jones nailed aces for Just One, which squeaked by for a 16-13 win in the opening set, holding off a late goal by Shag’s Myron Laniyo.

The back-and-forth match up carried over into the second set, with both teams continuing to pound the ball the best they could. Neither could break out to a commanding lead until Just One mustered just enough juice down the stretch to pull off a 19-17 win for a slim 35-30 lead in the overall score.

The magic, however, wouldn’t last for Just One as they hit a brick wall in the third set and struggled to penetrate Shag’s defense. Shaun Odoshi and Laniyo added kees to their corner while Olaitiman found the goal’s net to lift Shag to an easy 16-1 victory. With the victory, Shag headed into the final set up by 10 points, 46-36.

Shag had the opportunity to end the match with a fourth-set win, however, the re-energized Just One players were not ready to go home just yet and with their backs against the wall, pulled the right strings to keep their drive alive and force o-kon with a 17-10 win. Both Olaitiman and Just One’s Jeff Jones knocked in a goal apiece for their team in the set.

Shag still led, 56-53, however, as Rocball rules indicate the winning team heading into the final set of regulation must win the set to end the match.

It was all Shag in the first o-kon as Just One ran out of gas and bowed out with a 4-11 loss.

Olaitiman led Shag and finished as the game’s heavy hitter with 16 points on two aces, three kees, and two goals while Laniyo and Odoshi supported him with 13 and 10 points. Laniyo had five kees and a goal while Odoshi chipped in with two aces and four kees.

Robin Sapong was hot from behind the service line and led Just One with 14 points on seven aces while Jonathan and Jeff Jones finished with 12 and seven points. Jonathan was good for four aces and two kees while Jeff pounded two aces and a goal.

Shag is currently a half game ahead of two-time defending champion Ghasias Brothers in the team standings. The Brothers sport a 2-1 mark. Newcomer Just One is currently 0-3, however, the team has been adjusting well to the Rocball rules. Two of their losses were matches that went to o-kon—against Shag and the Brothers.

The WOR Community League continues every Tuesday and Thursday evening at the MHS Gym.