By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE Mwaliyas survived the Dublon Chiefs’ threat escaping with a 45-40 juiced out win in the World Organized Rocball Community League yesterday at the Marianas High School Gym.
The defending champions entered the fourth set down by six, 34-28, after the Dublon Chiefs nailed an impressive 16-5 victory in the third set last Wednesday.
The first three sets of their game were played last Wednesday before the match was halted, as students needed to return to class.
The Dublon Chiefs took the opening set with a 15-8 victory, before the Mwaliyas recovered in the second with a 15-3 triumph.
After losing the third set and feeling the danger of absorbing their first loss in the tournament, the Mwaliyas recovered strong in the crucial fourth set notching a 17-6 win.
Shane Yamada and Denri Fiden teamed up in the Mwaliyas’ comeback, as the former nailed two aces and two kees and the latter capped their come-from-behind win with a goal in the fourth set.
Yamada topscored for the Mwaliyas with 10 points on three kees on two aces.
The victory improved the defending champions’ record to 3-0 tying Watch & Learn in the lead. On Feb. 22, the Mwaliyas and Watch & Learn will part ways for the No. 1 spot. Both teams are assured of slots in the semifinals.
The Dublon Chiefs dropped to a 1-2 record and must win its last two games to have a chance to advance to the next round.
Only the top four teams after the second round will move to the semifinals. The six qualifying squads will play five games each in the second round.
The Dublon Chiefs are currently in fourth place. Black Magic occupies the No. 3 spot with a 1-1 slate, while Kich Fairo and Da Lani Kynez are both winless in two matches.
Thirteen aces, three xunxs, six kees and a goal were scored in the Mwaliyas-Dublon Chiefs tiff.
Ichnis Kapwich led the Dublon Chiefs’ losing cause firing eight points on three aces and a kee.