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By John Baza
The Academy Cougars overcame a rough start to fend off an early surge by the scrappy St. Paul Warriors, emerging with the hard fought 46-34 victory, securing their spot in the IIAAG Girls High School Basketball Championship game against the Notre Dame Royals this Friday.
It would be the Cougars seniors’ final time playing on their home court and they were determined to make it count Tuesday night against Pangilinan and the Warriors squad.
Led by Mia San Nicolas’ 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks and Kali ‘Special K’ Benavente’s 8 points and 7 assists, the Cougars fended off a dominant 18 point, 7 assist, 3 blocks performance from the Warriors’ Joy ‘Nova’ Pangilinan.
Academy wasted no time as Kiersten Pangelinan quickly found a cutting Meghan Cruz right off the tipoff for an early bucket, but the Warriors would quickly answer with a layup from Shelby Respicio.
Both teams would trade buckets throughout the quarter, but it was clear that both teams were struggling to find a rhythm. St. Paul’s Pangilinan capped off a rather dominant quarter with an exclamation point, blocking a last second shot attempt by the Cougars to trail at 8-6 at the end of the quarter.
The Warriors were in no rush on offense, playing up high and slowing down the tempo in an effort to force the Cougars out of their zone. The tactic seemed effective until Academy’s Rosita Duenas and Kali Benavente stepped up the defense, forcing turnovers and converting on the offensive end to claim a 13-6 lead.
“We had to pick up the pace of the game again and remember to go back to our game”, replied Academy’s Pangelinan on the sluggish start.
Joy Pangilinan was instrumental in the second quarter garnering blocks and hitting shots to battle back and keep her team in it (13-11) at the half.
The second half was a change of pace, as the Cougars picked up the slack getting early buckets from Cam Hattori and Mia San Nicolas, but Pangilinan once again put her team on the boards with a baseline drive (17-13).

Wendy’s Players of the Game, the starting line of the Academy Cougars; Mia San Nicolas, Camarin Hattori, Kali Benavente, Kiersten Pangelinan, and Meaghan Cruz. (photo by Daniel Paran)
The Warriors were able to find a cutting Haley Senne on the inbounds for a quick basket, but San Nicolas was able to spark a run for the Cougars along with teammate Cruz. The towering duo dominated the boards, getting second chance points and capping off a momentous quarter with a 10-0 run to take a commanding 29-15 lead heading into the fourth.
The Cougars struck early with Hattori connecting with Cruz on a nice pass (31-15) to open the final quarter. The Warriors knew they had to give it their all as Senne and Pangilinan combined for a five-point run, but a San Nicolas putback cut the momentum short (33-20).
With Benavente and Pangelinan orchestrating the offense with their passing ability and court vision, the Cougars continued to roll on and extend their lead. The Warriors were able to close the gap with time expiring, but came up short as the Cougars secured their championship ticket, winning 46-34.
“We just have to stay positive, focused and humble heading into this final game”, said Academy’s Benavente on the expectations for Friday’s game.
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GPS Sports Calendar
March 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
28th
Events for March
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
Events for March
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
4th
35th RAINBOWS FOR ALL CHILDREN 3.5 MILER
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
Events for March
5th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 3
Events for March
5th
Events for March
6th
Events for March
7th
Events for March
9th
Events for March
11th
GSPN PRESEASON BOYS VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT DAY 1
Bank of Guam Block Party 5K
Events for March
12th
Events for March
13th
Events for March
14th
Events for March
15th
Events for March
17th
World Athletics Indoor Championships
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
18th
PAY-LESS KICK THE FAT 5K/10K
World Athletics Indoor Championships
Events for March
19th
Events for March
21st
Events for March
25th
MARIANAS OPEN PRO JAPAN TOURNAMENT
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
26th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 4
Events for March
28th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
28th
Events for March
30th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
31st
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

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COMING SOON …
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QUICK HITS
Guam MTB National Championship: Edward Oingerang and Jennifer Camacho are your 2023 MTB national champions. Oingerang finished the course in 1:13:24 while Camacho won her second straight title in 54:08.
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Kobe Miyashita, with St. John’s coach Arvin Flores, was named the 2023 IIAAG Middle School Boys Volleyball MVP!