COUGARS ICE DOLPHINS IN OT

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By Robert Balajadia

Cougars’ Alina “ICE” Bonto shoots for two points. (photo by Jesse Castro)

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’ April Talledo takes off for the lay-up. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Cougars’ Gemilie Ilao shoots for two points with this short jumper. (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)

Dolphins Coach Kevin ‘Flash’ Sanchez talks to his team during a timeout in overtime. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Cougars’ Gemilie Ilao takes off in the red zone to score two points. (photo by Jesse Castro)

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