Mwaliyas takes lead in Game 5

After struggling through the first four matches, defending champion Mwaliyas looked sharp yesterday as the team controlled the first two sets of the deciding Game 5 of the 2006 World Organized Rocball High School League championship series at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

Unlike the previous games, Mwaliyas started off on the right foot. After J.R. Rudolph got the game going with an ace for a 2-0 Ochobu lead, the Mwaliyas players took control, placed their shots well, and went on a 10-0 run for a 12-2 lead. During the run, Pedro Iguel pounded two kills, Shane Yamada smacked two kees, and Quincy Johnson came up big on the net with a block.

A kee and kill by Ramsey Sino snapped the run, 5-12, but Ochobu was not able to threaten as Mwaliyas closed the set with a 15-5 victory.

Determined to bounce back, Ochobu got a good start in the second set as Kawes Awes knocked in two kees to fuel a 5-0 run. Ochobu still held a comfortable lead as Sino smacked another kee, 8-2.

Mwaliyas came storming back, though, and a powerful kill by Iguel made its way past the goalie for a goal that brought Mwaliyas to within a point, 7-8. Johnson then connected for two kees that gave Mwaliyas the lead, 13-8, but David Tisa and Tarnes Kapwich responded with consecutive kees to tie the score at 13-13.

A bad serve gave the ball back to Mwaliyas and Isidoro Sablan came through with an ace to end the set, 16-14.

With the win, Mwaliyas held a 12-point advantage, 31-19.

The third set got underway but was not concluded before time expired with Mwaliyas leading 7-6.

Iguel leads Mwaliyas with seven points on two kees and a goal while Yamada and Johnson each have three kees for six points.

Sino and Awes each have two kees for four points for Ochobu.

As reported earlier, Ochobu won a hard-fought Game 1 that was decided on the second set of o-kon, while Mwaliyas came back to win Game 2 after trailing through three sets.

Ochobu moved just one win away from dethroning Mwaliyas after winning Game 3 last Tuesday, 62-37, but was not able to close the series as Mwaliyas took Game 4 last Thursday, 67-43, to force the winner-take-all Game 5.

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