By Robert Balajadia

The best record in IIAAG girls basketball now belongs to the Okkodo Bulldogs for the first time, ever. The Bulldogs finished their regular season against the Sanchez Sharks where they defeated them 54-13 to capture the league’s top spot at (9-1).

Felicia “Fearless” Borja scored 20 points, outscoring the Sharks all by herself, but the (9-1) season record is not something she has enjoyed alone.

“It feels great, but we still need to work on a lot of things,” said Borja.

“We’ve gotten close with each other this season and our goal is to make it somewhere better than last year, our coach believes in us so we just have to believe in us too,” said Bulldogs’ Keann Castro.

The Bulldogs are more focused on righting last season’s wrongs than their current record, where they considered themselves to have ‘choked’ in the playoffs.

“We’re excited, but we’re not to think too hard about it. Last year we had a good record, but when it came to the playoffs we choked and were out of the playoffs. It’s a new year, new coach, new team, and we’re better but we still have to play hard,” said Borja.

Bulldogs Felicia Borja is fouled under the rim. (photo by Jose Perez)

The Sharks were celebrating their senior night, though the night belonged to the Bulldogs and their strong defensive performance only allowing the Sharks to score two points in the entire second half.

Sanchez proved tough early on as Caylani Estoy and Nadine San Nicolas had the Sharks leading 4-2 through the first four minutes with Okkodo still searching for their offense. Borja managed to sink a three from the corner to take the lead 5-4, but Sanchez fought back to only trail by three 11-8 to end the first quarter.

Borja got hot in the second quarter and the Bulldogs turned a plethora of turnovers into fast break scores to head into halftime leading 28-11.

Sanchez then only managed to hit one bucket in the 3rd quarter before being shutdown in the fourth.

For Okkodo, their terrific season has been a product of first time head coach Arleen Mad. The players have noticed a big difference with Mad pulling the strings and they are confident heading into the playoffs next week.

“[Mad] makes us a better team because she has taught us to play as a team and not just rely on one person. She always tells us our starting five is not always the reason we win games because the bench always steps up when she puts them in,” said Borja on Mad.

Other Scores

St. Paul 36, Harvest 34 – (Warriors Kindra Young 18 points) (Eagles Arianna Chabanne 12 points)
Southern 60, Tiyan 16

PHOTO GALLERY:

Sharks Danielle Sosa has her shot deflected by Bulldogs Samantha Ramirez. (photo by Jose Perez)

Strong defense from the Bulldogs, Nadine San Nicolas of the Sharks has her shot blocked by Lori Okada of the Bulldogs. (photo by Jose Perez)

Sharks Angelica Joseph releases her shot in time at the top of the key. (photo by Jose Perez)

Sharks Autum Atalig goes in for a layup. (photo by Jose Perez)

Drawing in three defenders, Bulldogs Alexandra Deleon Guerrero is able to get the ball to an open player for an easy basket. (photo by Jose Perez)

Bulldogs Shania Bulala set up the offense. (photo by Jose Perez)

Bulldogs Rea Dimag lets one go from beyond the arc. (photo by Jose Perez)