Mwaliyas, Ochobu living up to expectations

The fight for the pennant of the 2005-2006 World Organized Rocball High School League began yesterday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium, with defending champion Mwaliyas and Ochobu living up to expectations.

The intensity switch was turned on from the get-go as athletes from both corners were determined to do what they could to put their team ahead.

Only three sets were completed, with Mwaliyas holding a slim 38-31 lead heading into today’s fourth set.

Mwaliyas, however, had to work from behind as Ochobu started the game on fire.

David Tisa pounded the ball with all his might and knocked in two early kees and Ochobo took advantage of two errors by their opponents to take a 6-0 lead.

Mwliyas finally got on the scoreboard when Darrel Roligat connected for a kee, but Ochobu was quick to respond and went on a 3-0 run to up their lead to 9-2. Mwaliyas was out of their rhythm and managed to score just three points the rest of the set, while Ochobu kept their hot streak and strolled to a 16-5 win, with Tarnes Kapwich capping off their charge with a soft kill over a blocking defender.

Tisa continued to put on a good show as he ignited a 3-0 Ochobu run at the start of the second set with another kee. Mwaliyas was able to fight back as Roligat hit an ace for a 4-3 lead, but like the first set, Ochobu found a way to retaliate as Tisa nailed an ace and his team won most of the long rallies to go up, 11-5.

Little by little, Mwaliyas inched closer. The defending champions cut the lead to 7-11 before Shane Yamada knocked in consecutive aces to tie the score at 11-all. Pedro Iguel then came up with a powerful kee and followed with a goal before Yamada capped the comeback with a kee for an 18-11 victory.

With the win, Mwaliyas cut their overall deficit to just four points, 23-27.

Mwaliyas carried their momentum to the third set as Yamada opened with a goal for a 3-0 lead. An error on serve dropped their score to two and Awes Kawes smacked a kee to level the bout for Ochobu. Things, however, were going in Mwaliyas’ favor as they won the next point on a long rally, Yamada followed with an ace, Donald Tagabuel nailed a xunk, and Roligat made a diving save that went over the net for a kee for a 9-1 lead.

Tagabuel continued to serve well and hit an ace, Roligat smacked another key, and Iguel put an exclamation mark to their finish with a set-winning kill, 15-4.

Action resumes at 11:30am today with the final set of regulation. Rocball creator Jim Feger explained that Ochobu must win the fourth set to stay alive and force o-kon. He added that Ochobu could actually win the match in regulation if they win the fourth set by eight points.

Yamada leads Mwaliyas with 11 points on three aces, a kee, and a goal, while Roligat has eight points on an ace and three kees. Iguel has seven points on two kees and a goal.

Tisa leads Ochobu with eight points on an ace and three kees while Kawes has four points on an ace and a kee.