Manta Rays stroll to 111-87 win over Ayuyus

The Saipan Southern High School Manta Rays’ shake-and-bake offense was unstoppable Wednesday, resulting in the team leaving the Marianas High School Gymnasium with their second win in two nights.

Mimicking the two wins in two days the girls put up earlier in the week, the SSHS boys followed their win over the MHS Dolphins Tuesday night with a 111-87 shellacking of the Kagman High School Ayuyus.

Ten players put the ball through the hoop for the Mantas, a balanced attack that gave the team a double-digit lead after just 10 minutes of action, 26-16.

Not satisfied by a long shot, the Mantas continued to run and gun, and lit up the scoreboard for another 29 points in the second period while limiting the Ayuyus to just 11 points for a commanding 28-point cushion, 55-27.

After a brief break, the Mantas returned and continued with their offensive display.

The Ayuyus managed to keep pace, this time around behind guard Mario Patrinus and Ken Leon Guerrero, who sizzled for eight and seven points to keep the Ayuyus from falling farther behind. Kagman scored just a point lower than the Mantas in the period, which ended with SSHS up 81-52.

Showing strong spirit, Kagman refused to throw in the towel. Zack Diaz would hit perimeter jumpers off feeds from Patrinus, Leon Guerrero would nail a triple and a regular field goal, and Patrinus would have successful drives to twice cut the deficit to 19 points.

The Mantas, however, didn’t buy the comeback run and brought the lead back up before settling with the 24-point victory margin.

Julian Ranas and Adrian Echon led the Mantas with 18 and 17 points, while Foster Dela Cruz added 11 points. Rowell Aranda and Jack Lizama also contributed 10 points apiece.

Patrinus finished with 17 points to lead the Ayuyus, while Leon Guerrero and Diaz added 16 and 11 points.

Meanwhile, the Kagman girls weren’t as unfortunate they defeated the Grace Christian Academy Eagles, 51-30.

Kagman held slim leads after the first two periods, 8-7 and 16-13, but a second half explosion by Jessica Takai and Mallory Conner transformed a tight contest into a rout.

Takai and Conner had solid outings and led the Ayuyus with 12 and 10 points, while Erralyn Reiman and Tricia Falig pumped in eight points apiece.

Christine Ta and Jazmine Anastacio led GCA with seven and six points, respectively.

GIRLS

KHS 51—Takai 12, Conner 10, Falig 8, Reiman 8, Mobel 6, Guiao 6, Rafael 4.

GCA 30—C. Ta 7, Anastacio 6, Arnold 5, Camacho 5, Hofschneider 2, M. Ta 2, Phan 2.

Scoring by quarters: 8-7, 16-13, 32-18, 51-30.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Arnold Mesa.

BOYS

SSHS 111—Ranas 18, Echon 17, Dela Cruz 11, Lizama 10, Aranda 10, T. Palacios 9, Quitano 9, B. Babauta 9, L. Babauta 8, Eclevia 7, F. Palacios 3, Alvarez 2.

KHS 87—Patrinus 17, Leon Guerrero 16, Diaz 11, Leeroy 9, Ada 9, George 4, Carl 2, Salas 2, Moses 2.

Scoring by quarters: 26-16, 55-27, 81-52, 111-87.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Ricky Itaas.