Mount Carmel School’s Mya Pangelinan loses a defender off a screen from teammate Jieun Kwon during a girls high school division game of the PSS-NMIBF Interscholastic Basketball League at the Marianas High School gym.
MOUNT Carmel School narrowly escaped the clutches of Marianas High School’s varsity team, 36-34, to collect their third straight win in the girls high school division of the PSS-NMIBF Interscholastic Basketball League SY24-25 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium on Wednesday.
It was a fairly even match as both teams traded buckets from start to finish.
MHS V relied heavily on the exploits of Valerie Estella and Jax Dela Rosa as they posed a threat from anywhere on the court. Estella’s nine points highlighted the team’s offense, draining three consecutive buckets as well as a three-pointer while Dela Rosa added six points to keep their team’s momentum going.
On the other end, MCS banked on teamwork with a focus on off-ball screens to free players for uncontested shot attempts. Mia Abuan delivered six points and several assists to feed Jieun Kwon, Aubrey Quitugua, and Chealzka Navarro as MCS kept the lead, 23-18.
In the second half, MHS V started to close the distance as they focused on shutting down MCS’ scorers by applying more defensive pressure. With each successful stop, the team finished at the other end with Stacy Arriola and Erica Zandueta joining the fray with a combined six points to aid in MHS V’s late-game rally.
However, MCS continued to find ways to get Abuan free from defenders as she drained two daggering shots that kept her team afloat long enough to sail off to victory, 36-34.
Other games
Also notching wins were Saipan Southern High School’s varsity team, which dominated Kagman High School, 44-15, and Saipan International School, which outplayed MHS JV, 27-6.
Scores:
MCS 36 – Mia Abuan 10, Jieun Kwon 9, Aubrey Quitugua 6, Anjoelena Villagomez 4, Patricia Matsumoto 4, Chealzka Navarro 3
MHS V 34 – Jax Dela Rosa 14, Valerie Estella 11, Stacy Arriola 4, Rizza Relucio 3, Erica Zandueta 2
