Ochobu eliminates Bwibwi, advances to WOR playoffs

The World Organized Rocball High School League playoffs kicked off Monday afternoon at the Marianas High School Gymnasium, and unfortunately for Bwibwi, they were the first team to exit after falling to Ochobu in the tightly contested match that needed and extra set.

After winning the first two sets, Ochobu lost control and dropped the next two sets, resulting in the match heading into o-kon. The team managed to recover and keep their title hopes alive, emerging victorious, 53-43.

Ochobu quickly swung advantage back to their corner, taking the first set, 12-8, and followed it up with a stronger performance for an 11-6 second set win for a nine-point cushion in the overall tally, 23-14.

Darrel Moteiso, Shane Yamada, and the rest of the Bwibwi smackers fought back, though, and despite facing a respectable push by Ochobu, worked to within striking distance with a 12-10 win. The win closed the gap in the overall score to just seven points, 26-33. The set, however, was highlighted by a goal from Ochobu’s Ichnis Kapwich.

Ochobu had a shot at ending the match in regulation, but came up a little short as Bwibwi continued to fire up kees and aces to stay alive and force o-kon, 12-9.

Ochobu still led after regulation, 41-38, but needed to win the fourth set to end the match.

Nonetheless, Ochobu’s up-and-down game would end, as they took no chances and executed well to eliminate Bwibwi, 11-5, and advanced to play Mwaliyas.

Kapwich led Ochobu with seven points on two aces and a goal, while Graceful Fiden supported with six points on an ace, a xunk, and a kee.

Darrel Moteiso of Bwibwi was the game’s heavy hitter with an ace and four kees for 10 points.

The winner of the Ochobu-Mwaliyas battle—played yesterday—will advance to a best-of-five championship series against regular season pennant champion SKN, which earned their golden title series ticket by finishing the regular round with a 5-2 win-loss card.

Ochobu, Mwaliyas, and Bwibwi each finished with 3-4 records.

Meanwhile, Rocball founder Jim Feger said no games in both the WOR High School and Community leagues will be played this week. Action resumes next week with the championship series in the high school kicking off on Monday, and regular season play in the community league resuming Tuesday night.

For more information on the WOR high school and community leagues, contact Feger at 664-3810.