Previous Story
Bwibwis edge Mwaliyas in Rocball debut
|
Posted on Feb 23 2005
World Organized Rocball action continued yesterday, with Bwibwis mustering just enough juice to edge a determined Mwaliyas squad at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.
Despite a shaky start, the Bwibwis kept their composure, played with poise, and rallied to make their debut an impressive one with a 32-29 win.
Mwaliyas got off on the right foot and took the first set 12-7, and still had command after the second set ended with an 11-11 tie, resulting in a 23-18 advantage in the overall score.
Momentum quickly shifted to the Bwibwis corner as they pounded away in the third set and completely outplayed their opponents, 13-1, en route to turning their 5-point deficit into a 7-point cushion, 31-24.
It was all Bwibwis after that as the squad showed no mercy and capped their charge with an 11-5 fourth set win, preventing Mwaliyas from sending the match into O-kon.
Had Mwaliyas won the set, they would have forced overtime as Rocball rules indicate that a team leading the match must win the fourth set—juice out in Rocball terms—to end the match.
Shane Yamada fueled the Bwibwis’ push, leading all scorers with 10 points, and thus, was named as the match’s heavy hitter. The MHS student put a hurting on the ball and tormented his opponents with three aces and two kees. Teammates Peter Iginoef, Bill Kaipat, and Maverick Saures all had solid outings, contributing with four points apiece.
Donald Tagabuel and Jay Saures led Mwaliyas with four points each, with Tagabuel knocking down an ace and a kee and Saures smacking away for two kees.
Rocball was created in 1979 by current MHS teacher Jim Feger. After a couple of years of experimenting, the sport finally progressed into a tournament in 1983, while Feger taught at Hopwood Junior High School.
The sport has also attracted outside interest, including the likes of Eurosport, a popular sports channel, and Crackerjax, an Arizona Sports Theme Park. Footage of the game was also filmed for Fox Sports.
For more information on Rocball, contact Feger at 664-3810.
