By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

DA Lani Kynez pushed the Mwaliyas to the limits before the latter pulled off a 64-57 double overtime victory in Game 1 of their best-of-three semis series in the World Organized Rocball Community League yesterday at the Marianas High School Gym.
What was expected to be an easy cruise for the Mwaliyas turned into an extended match, as Da Lani Kynez refused to give up without a fight.
The Mwaliyas after sweeping the first three sets last Monday needed to win only the fourth to claim a juiced-out win and take the series opener.
But Da Lani Kynez denied the defending champion a sweep with a 16-4 triumph in the fourth set to send the game in overtime.
In overtime, the Mwaliyas needed only one set to end the match, while Da Lani Kynez had to prevail twice to complete a come-from-behind win.
In the first set of the extension period, Da Lani Kynez capitalized on the Mwaliyas’ service errors to post an 11-0 victory and force a deciding second set.
The Mwaliyas finally recovered their bearings in the second set in overtime notching an 11-1 win to foil Da Lani Kynez’s upset bid.
With the victory, the Mwaliyas are a win away from earning a return trip to the finals.
The winner of the Mwaliyas-Da Lani Kynez semis series will advance to the finals against the victor in the Watch & Learn-Dublon Chiefs tiff.
The championship series will have a best-of-seven games format.
Shane Yamada and Darrel Roligat of the Mwaliyas were the game’s heavy hitters with 10 points apiece. Yamada had one ace and four kees, while Roligat made one ace, one xunx and three kees.
Stephanie Arnold led Da Lani Kynez’ losing cause also hitting 10 markers. She had two aces, one xunx and two kees.
Ten Aces, four xunxs, 22 kees and one goal were scored in the match.
Da Lani Kynez’s Melvin Seman nailed the lone goal in the game, drilling it in the fourth set.