Lady Dolphins keep streak alive, Manta Rays nip MHS

Talented Werlly Quitugua and the rest of the Marianas High School Lady Dolphins continued to dominate the MISA High School Basketball League girls division, racking up their fifth win in as many games Friday at the MHS Gymnasium.

Quitugua scored seven of her game-high 13 markers in the first 10 minutes of the ballgame and MHS held Saipan Southern High School Lady Rays to just two free throws, as the Lady Dolphins set the tone for the rest of the ballgame in a 61-41 rout.

SSHS finally got some offense working in the second, as they found the bottom of the net on three occasions for six points. But it was not enough, as MHS continued to tear them apart and scored 18 points to open up a 34-8 lead at the half.

The Lady Dolphins matched their second quarter output in the third, while the Lady Rays doubled theirs, but it hardly made a dent on MHS’ mammoth lead and Quitugua and company headed to the game’s final 10 minutes on top 52-20.

With the outcome beyond doubt, MHS could afford to play loose in the final 10 minutes. They allowed SSHS to match its point production from the first two quarters, but still left the court with the 20-point victory margin.

Riza Rose Tacliad supported Quitugua with her 11 points, while Henny Elayda paced the Lady Rays with nine points, eight of which were scored in the final canto. The loss was the sixth in as many games for SSHS.

In the second game, the SSHS Manta Rays scored a crucial win against MHS Dolphins that forged a tie in second place in the boys division.

With the 66-64 win, league organizers would now have to decide how to break the tie in the team standings between SSHS and MHS, which both finished the regular season with 3-3 marks.

It was a great escape for the Manta Rays, as they were comfortably ahead three fourths of the way before a late-game rally by the Dolphins almost pulled the rug from under them.

Preston Basa led a balanced scoring attack by SSHS with 13 points, while Jason Bahillo and Bill Babauta chipped in 12 points apiece. Lightning-quick guard Joemar Tumaquip paced a gallant stand by MHS with 22 points.

The MISA cage league returns beginning at 4pm today with the Lady Dolphins seeking to complete the season without a loss against the Kagman High School Lady Ayuyus. The boys game between KHS and league-leading Mt. Carmel Knights follow. Both games will be played in the air-conditioned comforts of the MHS Gym.

First Game

MHS Lady Dolphins 61 – Quitigua 13, Tacliad 11, Ermitanio 8, Agbanlog 7, Oiterong 7, Padilla 6, Mack 5, Palero 2, Diaz 2.

SSHS Lady Rays 41 – Elayda 9, Echang 7, Omar 7, Muna 5, Rios 4, Aldan 4, Ito 2, Coleman 2, Maratita 1.

Scoring by quarters: 16-2, 34-8, 52-20, 61-41.

Second Game

SSHS Manta Rays 66 – Basa 13, Ja. Bahillo 12, Babauta 12, Lizama 7, Chan 6, Ferrer 4, Duenas 3, Diaz 4, Maratita 2, Je. Bahillo 2, Eclevia 1.

MHS Dolphins 64 – Tumaquip 22, Tebuteb 18, Mateo 9, Phillip 8, Magday 4, Taitano 2, Bryant 1.

Scoring by quarters: 17-13, 36-24, 50-37, 66-64.