Brothers kick off campaign on high note

The Ghasias Brothers kicked off their title defense on the right foot, playing well down the stretch of their World Organized Rocball Community League debut to slip past fellow powerhouse Shag, 54-52, Tuesday night at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The Brothers were pounding away right from the beginning, controlling much of the first set en route to a 17-9 win.

The Shag players, however, didn’t like to be pushed around and fought back in the second set, putting up better numbers and eventually edging the defending champs, 17-14.

Rolling on their momentum, Shag continued to put a hurt on the ball and played with poise in the third set.

The team dominated the set behind the guns of Mike Olaitiman and Myron Laniyo and won 15-6 to take the lead in the overall score, 41-37.

With their backs against the wall, the Brothers showed just why they are two-time champions as they quickly responded and began to gain momentum.

The Brothers put up crucial stops and were aggressive offensively, taking the set 17-11 to clinch the win.

Despite the loss, Olaitiman had something to smile about as he went home as the game’s heavy hitter after connecting for an ace, three kees, and two goals for 14 points.

Freddie and Jacob Pelisamen led the defending champions with 10 points apiece, with Freddie hitting an ace and four kees and Jacob nailing an ace, a xunk, and three kees.

Community league action continues tonight with two games, the first beginning at 7pm.

Meanwhile, Ochobu picked up its third win in five outings after a double o-kon 57-51 victory over Bwibwi in the WOR High School League.

After squeezing out an 11-10 first set win, Ochobu got stunned in the second set, as Bwibwi fired bullets for a 12-1 blowout.

Ochobu would return the favor and shut down the Bwibwi guns in the third set for a 12-0 win, putting them in the driver seat ahead 24-22 in the overall tally sheet.

Ochobu continued to play well in hopes of juicing out with a fourth-set win. But that would not be the case as Bwibwi managed to score when needed and force overtime with a 13-12 win.

Because Ochobu closed regulation with a 36-35 lead, they only needed to win one set to close the match.

Bwibwi was not intent on letting that happen and forced a do-or-die final set with a 12-10 win in the first o-kon.

Unfortunately, Bwibwi ran out of gas and bowed out, giving Ochobu an11-4 clincher in the second o-kon.

Ichnis Kapwich led Ochobu with 10 points after converting hits for four aces and a kee.

High school action continues Friday at 12:30pm with Mwaliyas taking on Ochobu.

For more information on Rocball, contact the game’s creator James Feger at 664-3810.