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By Niko Bulaon

Cougars’ Gemilie Ilao broke through two Islander defenders to put two on the board. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The Academy Cougars kept their undefeated record intact, defeating the JFK Islanders in a blowout win, 51-26, Tuesday night at the AOLG gym.

“To execute our offense, to play hard, and don’t let up,” said Kali Benavente about their goal for tonight’s game.

The aggressiveness of both the Cougars and the Islanders showed from the beginning of tipoff. But it wasn’t long till AOLG put up points quicker than their opponents to create a small lead, 10-2. Behind Alison Bowman, JFK cut the lead to five before the buzzer sounded.

Going into the second with the score at 14-9, the Cougars wasted no time to pull away from their opponents while keeping the Islanders away from the basket.

The Cougars’ speed on offense and defense broke JFK’s momentum, putting them in a scoring slump. Behind Benavente and Alina “ICE” Bonto, the Cougars put up quick points after rebounds and swift steals, going into halftime with the score at 31-9.

Starting the third quarter with the same pace they ended with, back-to-back euro step layups from Benavente continued the 29-0 run for her team.

After two three-pointers from Benavente and teammate Gemilie Ilao, the Islanders offense slowly rose to add points on the board. But it wasn’t enough as AOLG ended the third quarter with the score at 43-10.

Islanders’ Rusina Royster drives the ball into Cougars territory. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The Islanders soon put up baskets in the sixth minute of the fourth quarter after free throw shots from Rufina Royster and a layup from Anita Onedera. With time ticking away, JFK slowly added points on the board from fast-break plays after several steals, ending the night with a three-pointer and quick two from Andrea Delin, but it wasn’t enough as the Cougars’ lead was out of reach.

The Cougars remain the only team with no loss in the season. With the season halfway done, “ICE” Bonto said, “I’m sure if we work at it, we’ll play to our coach’s expectations. I feel we’ve actually made a big step in our improvement in our teamwork and today we came alive and executed our offense.”

Benavente led the Cougars with 16 points, three rebounds, two assists, and five steals. Teammate Bonto helped with 12 points, four rebounds, and four steals. Despite the loss, Bowman led the Islanders with 11 points and six rebounds.

Other Scores

St. Paul 65, ND 59 OT – Warriors Joy Pangilinan 37 points, Destiny Castro 38 points

Southern 46, Sanchez 12 – Dolphins Marlisah Tenorio 14 points, April Tolledo 10 points

Okkodo  48, Guam High 36

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Cougars’ Kali Benavente fakes right and drives the ball around Islander defender for two points. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Cougars’ Alina Bonto takes the ball into Islanders’ territory. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Cougars’ Caroline Poppe shoots for two over Islanders’ Alison Bowman. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Islanders’ Alison Bowman wins the tipoff for her team. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Cougars and Islanders during the break between first and second period. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Islanders’ Alison Bowman makes her move towards the paint for a layup. (photo by Jesse Castro)

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