Mwaliyas secures pennant with juice out victory

Defending champion Mwaliyas kept its perfect record intact while securing the pennant crown of the World Organized Rocball High School League yesterday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

Mwaliyas got a huge lift from high-leaping killing machine Pedro Iguel, whose two goals in the fourth set enabled the team to come from behind for a 16-13 win, enabling the team to close the match, 54-44.

Mwaliyas finished the regular season with a 7-0 win-loss record while the loss dropped Ochobu to 5-2. Ochobu still holds the No. 2 spot heading into the playoffs, which will get underway in the middle of the month.

Ochobu was well on its way to forcing o-kon as the team, which entered trailing 31-38, played well with their backs against the wall.

David Tisa knocked in two kees while Tarnes Kapwich and Ichnis Kapwich each had a kee to help Ochobu take a 13-7 lead.

Their hot streak came to an end, though, as they were held scoreless for the remainder of the bout while Mwaliyas kicked to turbo mode.

Donald Tagabuel and Iguel came up big for Mwaliyas, with Iguel connecting on two goals and Tagabuel on another to put their team ahead for good.

Iguel and Shane Yamada finished as the game’s heavy hitters as they led Mwaliyas with 15 points. Iguel connected for three kees and three goals while Yamada had three aces, a kee, and a goal.

Tisa led Ochobu with 12 points on five kees and an ace.

Both teams played hard in the first three sets Monday.

Tisa pounded the ball with all his might and knocked in two early kees and Ochobo took advantage of two errors by their opponents to take a 6-0 lead in the first set. It was a sign of things to come as Ochobu dominated the set en route to a 16-5 win.

Mwaliyas came back strong and responded as Yamada drilled consecutive aces and a kee, and Iguel hit a kee and a goal to fuel an 18-11 win to cut their deficit to 23-27 in the overall tally.

Mwaliyas continued to play well and opened up a 9-1 lead in the third set before closing the day with a 15-4 win, setting the stage for yesterday’s contest.

Ochobu will face No. 3 Lagooners in the semifinals while Mwaliyas will take on B-n-S or Black Magic, who are currently tied in fourth place with 4-3 records.

B-n-S and Black Magic will battle in a one-game playoff today to determine who bags the final semifinals slot.