Mwaliyas rally to force o-kon

Defending champion Mwaliyas was not ready to give in and unleashed a furious charge in the final set of regulation to force o-kon in Game 1 of their best-of-five finals against Ochobu.

The bout, which began on Monday, resumed yesterday with Ochobu holding a 31-20 lead after two sets.

Ochobu was able to increase their lead with another strong performance in the third set. Despite Mwaliyas power hitter Pedro Iguel connecting for his second goal of the match, Ochobu was still able to hold on and win the set, 17-13.

With the win, Ochobu were in the driver seat with a 14-point lead heading into the fourth set, 48-33.

Mwaliyas, however, still had a shot as Rocball rules state that the team with the lead heading into the fourth set must win the set to close the bout in regulation. If the team trailing wins, then overtime will be played regardless of who leads the total point tally.

The Ochobu hitters seemed to be well on their way to taking a one-game lead in the series as the team controlled the early stages of the set for a 15-6 lead.

With their backs against the wall, Mwaliyas began firing back and pounded the ball with all their might to get back into contention.

Iguel smashed another goal while playing as goalie, and Shane Yamada hit a long return off an Ochobu serve that found the goal to cut the deficit to just three points, 12-15.

Iguel then capped another long rally by hitting another goal for an 18-17 lead. After a miscue on first serve by Ochobu, Iguel made good on a game-winning kee for the 20-16 victory.

O-kon will be played today beginning at 11:30am. Ochobu leads the overall score, 64-53, and only needs to win one set, while Mwaliyas must win two sets to win. O-kon sets are won by the first team to reach 10 points or score a goal.

As reported yesterday, Ochobu took the first set, 15-10, and followed up with another impressive performance to take the second set, 16-10.

Iguel currently leads Mwaliyas with 18 points after bruising the ball for an ace, two kees, and four goals, while Yamada has nine points on three kees and a goal.

Ramsey Sino leads Ochobu with 17 points courtesy of an ace, six kees, and a goal.

For more information on high school Rocball, contact the sport’s creator Jim Feger at 237-3235.