Lady Dolphins repeat as MISA champs

The dynasty lives on.

For the third time in four years, the Marianas High School Lady Dolphins sit atop the mountain as the team bagged its fourth title yesterday afternoon to complete a historic season in the 2006 MISA High School Basketball League.

Led by seniors Werlly Quitugua, Emy Oiterong, Marlene Agbanlog, and Shaunna Yang, the Lady Dolphins won their seventh game in as many outings with an impressive 47-32 victory over the Saipan Southern High School Lady Rays for their second straight championship.

Throughout the game, the crowd went wild and crazy while showing school pride with some even making their way onto the court while players were at their respective benches.

The Lady Dolphins were in good shape from the start and grabbed the early lead by outscoring their opponents, 8-3, in the first period.

The lead grew in the second quarter as the Lady Dolphins sizzled on offense and played tough defense to limit the Lady Rays to seven points.

Quitugua nailed a bomb from long range and added another field goal, and Oiterong and Dyenna Diaz worked their way for four points apiece to spearhead a 15-point charge that resulted in the Lady Dolphins going into halftime with a 13-point spread, 23-10.

Action resumed and the Lady Dolphins super-sized their lead as they continued to have the upper hand. Coach John Raulerson’s crew scored four points better than Southern and were leading by 17 points, 33-16, with one period remaining.

Only 10 minutes stood between the Lady Dolphins and another title, but the Saipan Southern crew refused to hand it over on a silver platter.

The Lady Dolphins seemed to be on an easy road as the team continued to increase the lead to over 20 points.

However, with Quitugua, Oiterong, but Yang taking a breather, the Lady Rays put up their best attack.

A 6-0 run enabled the Lady Rays to cut the lead back to 17 points, 26-43, with 2:23 remaining. Nikki Rios then connected on a layup despite getting fouled, and hit her free throw to cut the lead to 14 points, 29-43.

Southern had several opportunities to pull closer, however, they were not able to get the job done, as the Lady Dolphins were able to close with no trouble.

“This is very special because we went undefeated,” coach Raulerson said after the game. “We’re undefeated plus it’s back to back. I got my seniors leaving—Shorty [Agbanlog}, Shaunna, Werlly, and Emy, and so its special for them.”

Aside from Yang, Quitugua, Agbanlog, and Oiterong, other members of the Lady Dolphins include Ann Ermitanio, Dyenina Diaz, Ann Padilla, Rica Tacliad, and Joana Palero.

Oiterong led Marianas High with 12 points, while Quitugua added 11 points.
Joahna Omar and Rios led Saipan Southern with nine and seven points.

MHS 47 – Oiterong 12, Quitugua 11, Agbanlog 6, Diaz 6, Yang 4, Ermitanio 4, Padilla 4.
SSHS 32 – Omar 9, Rios 7, Muna 6, Coleman 5, Elayda 5.
Scoring by quarters: 8-3, 23-10, 33-16, 47-32.
Referees: Eric Artillaga and Joe Mettao.