Immediately afterwards, the Marianas High School Dolphins and the Kagman High School Ayuyu graced the opening game with intense action amidst loud cheering of students and other spectators in the bleachers.
MHS Dolphins defeated KHS Ayuyu, 62-59, as the two teams struggle to clinch the first win in the JV caging season.
Dolphins and Ayuyu battle it to the teeth as they demonstrated tight defense and dynamic offense on the hard court.
The match witnessed the two rivals going neck and neck in the scoreboard, outscoring, outmaneuvering each other throughout the game.
MHS Dolphins’ #34, Eufenio Feria, sank two free throws to allow the team to lead four points in the last quarter with 2 minutes and 39 seconds left in the ball game.
KHS Ayuyu’s #3, Brandon Babauta crafted a three-point play in the last two minutes as he solicited a foul from one of the Dolphins and connected to the basket.
Babauta made good with his one free throw, allowing Ayuyu to inch to 53 points.
Another Ayuyu player, Ichiharo Faisao, connected two free throws to mark 56 points for his team.
But Dolphins responded with a series of free throws in the final seconds of play as KHS squad committed fouls on the floor in their attempt to steal the ball.
In a crucial moment, one KHS Ayuyu player committed a traveling violation, giving MHS Dolphins a chance to keep the other team at bay.
According to Joel L. Punzalan, president of MISO and sports coordinator, they are very grateful to the president of the Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, Elias M. Rangamar, for allowing them to use the Ada Gym as MISO’s official venue for the junior varsity basketball season.
The two other members of MISO are Mount Carmel School and Saipan Southern High School.
SSHS Manta Rays are the defending champion in the boys’ junior varsity basketball.
