Dolphins end regular season on high note

The Marianas High School teams in the ongoing Marinas Interscholastic Sports Association High School Basketball League closed the regular season on a high note Friday.

In the nightcap, the Dolphins stayed neck and neck with the Mt. Carmel School Knights and went on a 9-2 run in the final minute and a half to leave with a 75-68 victory at the MHS Gymnasium.

The match was tight for most parts, featuring seven lead changes and five ties.
The Dolphins opened the game on the right foot, going up 11-4 run before the Knights fought back and rolled ahead, closing the first quarter with a 21-16 lead.

The Dolphins responded and crept closer, eventually taking a 24-23 lead on a layup by Nate Mateo. Both teams swapped turns holding the lead before a triple by Kevin Aldan lifted the Dolphins, which rested at the break up 36-33.

The game remained in favor of the Dolphins until the Knights shifted into higher gear in the fourth, going on a 14-8 run capped by a layup by Aitau Barcinas, off a steal by Kovin Ogumoro that brought the Knights within a point with a little under four minutes remaining, 62-63.

The Dolphins turned the ball over two more times in the next minute, and the Knights capitalized, bring the lead back to their corner, 66-63.

A triple by Maverick Itibus knotted the score at 66-apiece and ignited a charge that propelled the team to victory.

Christian Dela Cruz and Itibus led the Dolphins with 16 and 10 points.

Dan Barcinas led the Knights with 20 points despite playing in only two periods, while younger brother Aitau pumped in 10 points.

Earlier, the Lady Dolphins got another huge performance from guard Werlly Quitugua to beat the Grace Christian Academy Eagles, 52-28.

The Lady Dolphins were firing at will while holding the Eagles under the 10-point mark in each period to leave with the easy win.

Quitugua would go off for a game-high 20 points and received solid support from her teammates, who put up a strong and balanced attack. Marlene “Shorty” Agbanlog and Shaunna Yang also chipped in with seven points apiece, with Agbanlog also hitting a triple.

Jazmine Anastacio led the Eagles with seven points while Maki Ta and Janet Phan added six points apiece.

MISA action continued yesterday with the semifinals in both the boys and girls divisions. Winners of the bouts will play in the championship games on Monday, with the girls scheduled to take the court at 4pm and the boys at 5:30pm.

Girls

MHS 52—Quitugua 20, Agbanlog 7, Yang 7, E. Jang 6, J. Jang 4, Bermudes 2, Oiterong 2, Ermitano 2, Iakopo 2.

GCA 28—Anastacio 7, Ta 6, Phan 6, Matsumoto 3, Hofschneider 2, Arnold 2, Camacho 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-9, 26-15, 43-22, 52-28.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Arnold Mesa.

Boys

MHS 75—Dela Cruz 16, Itibus 10, Tarkong 9, Aldan 6, Hocking 5, Feger 5, Mateo 4, Jos. Tumaquip 4, Tebuteb 4, Macdam 4, Paez 3, Joe. Tumaquip 2.

MCS 68—D. Barcinas 20, A. Barcinas 10, Tenorio 8, Deleon Guerrero 7, Naraja 7, Kim 6, Ogumoro 6, V. Sablan 2, J. Sablan 2, Kintol 1.

Scoring by quarters: 16-21, 36-33, 55-48, 75-68.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Jess Pacheco.