MHS Yellow’s Nigel Kochi pulls up for the mid-range jumper while surrounded by four MCS White defenders during a boys high school division game of the PSS-NMIBF Interscholastic Basketball League SY24-25 at the Marianas High School gym on Wednesday.
MCS White’s Jener Pineda makes contact as he attempts to dribble past MHS Yellow’s Hilario Palino during a boys high school division game of the PSS-NMIBF Interscholastic Basketball League SY24-25 at the Marianas High School gym on Wednesday.
A PAIR of free throws allowed Mount Carmel School White to slip past Marianas High School Yellow, 36-35, in the boys high school division of the PSS-NMIBF Interscholastic Basketball League SY24-25, which kicked off at the Marianas High School gym on Wednesday.
In the first half, MCS’ teamwork allowed for an unselfish ball movement that created shot opportunities for Michael Calvo and Jener Franz Pineda, who put up six and five points, respectively.
MHS matched MCS’ pace with aggression. Applying constant offensive pressure, Josh Yoromad and Dane Tibayan were able to draw a handful of fouls and score from the charity stripe, while teammate Dwayne Tabhan took care of the outside work with seven points — including one three-pointer — to head into halftime with a slight lead, 15-14.
The lead exchange continued throughout the first 10 minutes of the second half.
With eight minutes left on the clock, MHS started to gain some forward momentum. Although each MHS player was heavily guarded by MCS, Nigel Kochi and Louis Rectitud stepped up when they were needed and delivered clutch shots to give their team a six-point advantage.
Despite the clock winding down, MCS never showed signs of giving up and was eventually rewarded for its efforts. With every missed shot attempt by MHS, MCS capitalized on the other end to tie the game at 34.
MHS’ Rectitud gave his team a one-point lead after splitting his free-throw attempts. MHS appeared to have the win in the palm of their hands with only seconds left on the clock. MCS, however, stayed persistent and managed to find Pineda, who then drew a foul, putting him at the charity stripe where he knocked down both crucial shots to give MCS control, 36-35.
Inbounding from half-court with 11 seconds left, MHS still had a chance to sink a game-winning shot. Unfortunately, their plans were foiled by MCS’ pressure defense, which resulted in an MHS turnover.
Other games
Also triumphing on Wednesday were Kagman High School JV, which routed MCS Grey, 48-7; and MHS Blue, which outplayed Saipan Southern High School JV, 44-18.
