
[sixcol_five_last]
By Robert Balajadia
The Academy Cougars were trailing 40-30 with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter, but managed to escape their first loss of the season by taking the Southern Dolphins into overtime where they beat them 51-46 to advance to 3-0 on the season while giving the Dolphins their first loss at 3-1.
Cougars star Alina “ICE” Bonto lived at the free-throw line all game going 20-26, including a pair to send the game into overtime. Bonto finished with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and six steals.
Dolphins April Tolledo hit a wide-open three pointer to give the Dolphins the 40-30 lead, but a scoring drought allowed the Cougars to mount a comeback.
When asked if she was surprised at the fast pace the Dolphins continued to play despite the lead, Bonto said, “The [Dolphins] are a good scoring team and I expected them to push the ball.”
Bonto sparked the 10-0 run by hitting a layup to cut the lead to single digits. Fellow Cougar Gemilie Ilao added in the run with the one-minute mark close at hand with the Cougars still trailing 40-37.
Bonto then converted on a runner in the lane while getting fouled to send her to the line to tie the game at 40.
Southern then converted on a pair of free throws with less than a minute left to put them up 42-40 with the game appearing to get away from the Cougars. Academy’s Erin Wong got tagged with a double-dribble on the Cougars next possession, but a turnover by Dolphins’ Brielle Meno gave the Cougars another shot to tie the game.
Wong missed her shot under the rim which forced the Cougars to foul Dolphins’ Nadine Calceta where she missed a crucial free-throw, allowing the Cougars to get the ball back with six seconds left.
The inbound toss was nearly stolen, but Bonto managed to get control of it until the Dolphins’ were tagged with a questionable foul at half court that put Bonto at the line to tie the game with just two seconds left.

Dolphins’ April Talledo takes the ball up court while avoiding the Cougars defenders. (photo by Jesse Castro)
“I felt like I owed it to my team and we worked so hard and I didn’t want us to give up, so I owed it to them to make those free throws. When I got fouled I was just like, ‘thank you God!'”
Overtime
The Cougars were riding a wave of momentum into the overtime while getting a timely bucket from Wong and a free-throw by Bonto to go up 47-44. In the closing seconds of the game, the Cougars grabbed a steal which turned into a wide open fast break layup by Bonto.
The Cougars pounced on the Dolphins in the next possession with Bonto grabbing a steal, tossing it ahead to teammate Kali Benavente who hit the game sealing layup as time expired to win the game.
“Coach said that we worked so hard to get into overtime so we shouldn’t let it go to waste. Our plan was just to execute our offense, move the ball quick, and attack the basket.”
Marlisa Tenorio led the Dolphins with 12 points and nine rebounds while Benavente added eight for the Cougars.
It was the only game scheduled on Veteran’s Day. A full slate of games is slated for Tuesday night.
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Cougars’ Kali Benavente drives the ball down court controlling of pace of the game. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Cougars’ Gemilie Ilao drives the ball around her teammate taking advantage of the pick. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Cougars Coach Eddie Pelkey talks to his team during a timeout in the fourth period. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Dolphins’ Brielle Meno drove the ball towards the key and takes the shot over two Cougar defenders. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Dolphins’ Marlisah Tenorio shoots for two points over Cougars’ Jasie Villanueva. (photo by Jesse Castro)
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Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
GPS Sports Calendar
May 2022
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for May
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #4
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
3rd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL QUARTERFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
5th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
6th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
7th
GPD HOT PURSUIT 5K
MARIANAS OPEN
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for May
9th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #5
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER All-Star Meeting
IIAAG GIRLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
Events for May
12th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL ALL-ISLAND MEETING
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
12th
Events for May
14th
14th JUDICA CRABAO 5K
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
Events for May
16th
ISA TRACK & FIELD ALL-ISLAND MEET
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE All-Star Meeting
Events for May
17th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
18th
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Events for May
19th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
20th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL All-Star Meeting
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
21st
Pre-Memorial Day 13-Miler
GETTING GUAM HEALTHY 5K BUBBLE RUN/HEALTH FAIR
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD All-ISLAND MEET
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE FINALS
ALPHA WARRIOR ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
2022 Guam Track & Field National Championships
Events for May
23rd
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
24th
Events for May
26th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
27th
- 29
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- 31
- 1
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- 3
- 4
Events for May
29th
Events for May
30th

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR PLAYERS DRAFTED

Volleyball
TITANS COMPLETE PERFECT 2022 SEASON

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR PLAYERS DRAFTED

Baseball
DODGERS HAND TRITONS FIRST LOSS

Volleyball
TITANS COMPLETE PERFECT 2022 SEASON
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
COMING SOON …
- YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE KICKOFF June 4
- Todd Gurley Football Camp on Andersen
- GSPN Boys Volleyball All-Star Game
- Pacific Mini-Games in Saipan