Black Magic, B-n-S head to o-kon for playoff spot

The fight for the fourth and final playoff spot in the 2005-2006 World Organized Rocball League was intense yesterday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium as Black Magic and B-n-S will have to settle their match in o-kon.

With the loser being eliminated from further action, both teams played their hearts out and were separated by just one point after regulation, with Black Magic leading 65-64.

Black Magic led heading into the fourth set but was not able to close out the match as the B-n-S players pushed the best they could to win the set and force overtime.

In Rocball, the team trailing after three sets can force overtime by winning the fourth set, even if they still trail in the overall tally.

The match was intense from the start as the two teams were neck and neck and matched each other well. Dior Jones and Julius Saito knocked in a couple of kees, giving Black Magic just enough firepower to take the first set, 17-16.

Black Magic was able to pad their lead as Jones connected for a goal to highlight a 16-11 victory. With the win, Black Magic led by six points, 33-27.

Jones was able to pound the ball for another goal in the third set. However, an ace by Kaleo Olaitiman and hard hits by Myron Laniyo proved to be enough for B-n-S to inch closer with a 19-16 victory. At that point, B-n-S trailed by just three points, 46-49.

It was anybody’s ballgame as B-n-S still had a shot at closing the match in regulation. The team tried to do so in hopes of earning the playoff ticket, and was able to beat Black Magic, 18-16, but still trailed in the overall tally, 64-65, resulting in overtime.

Had B-n-S won the set by four points, they would’ve been able to take the match.

Saito currently leads Black Magic with 14 points on five aces and two kees, while Jones has 12 points after hitting three kees and two goals.

Laniyo leads B-n-S with 14 points after knocking in two aces and five kees.

The match resumes at 11:30am today, with Black Magic needing to win just one set to take the match. B-n-S must win both sets to advance.

The teams find themselves in similar ground as the two also battled in o-kon last December.

During the bout, Jones was able to lift his team as he connected for a goal in the first o-kon set.

For more information, contact Rocball creator Jim Feger at 237-3235.