
By Robert Balajadia
The Okkodo Bulldogs are aware that just making the IIAAG Boys Basketball playoffs is going to be a challenge given the competition in the Taga Division. Tuesday night presented an opportunity to move up in the standings, which helped fuel a 69-64 win over the visiting GW Geckos.
“The team realizes that we’re behind the gun. Our division is tough. We’re 5th place and the odd-man out. We control our destiny. We can’t rely on other teams to lose, we need to get it done. For us to have a chance, the things we do in practice has to come out in the game,” said Mad.
The Bulldogs got a big night from center Christian Manalo, who scored 19 points to pace Okkodo’s four double-digit scorers. Gecko Fabric Ramos posted 31 points in the loss.
“We don’t have a pure scorer or a player that you want to hone in on and stop. They have to buy in to the team concept, which they’re doing, but it’s a struggle. We’re hoping we can make a run in the second half of the season,” added Mad.
Okkodo were stuck on a roller-coaster ride in each quarter where they would build a double-digit lead only to watch it dissipate in the final minutes. Down 33-22, the Geckos quickly shaved off six straight points in the final 1:30 of the 2nd period to get within 33-28. A three-pointer by Dale Bautista proved big to keep the Bulldogs up 36-28.
Three-point shooting and easy buckets from Manalo in the 3rd allowed Okkodo to go up by their largest lead at 15 points, but Ramos closed the final seconds of the quarter with a quick 5-0 run to get within 53-43.
The Geckos were mounting a big comeback after Eian Naputi converted an and-one to get within 59-52 with five minutes still left to play. A strange technical foul was called on the Geckos a minute later with six players on the court, halting momentum.
Prince Enriquez converted both technical free throws to go up 63-54 with Okkodo gaining possession of the ball.
With the game seemingly in hand up 67-54 in the final 1:40, the Geckos posted another quick comeback. Ramos converted a layup plus a pair of free throws to spark a 6-0 run to get within 67-60.
An Okkodo timeout with 1:20 left allowed coach Mad to draw up a play. The Bulldogs successfully shaved off 35 seconds with a weave-patter play before getting a layup from Manalo to go up 69-60. GW would generate four points in 20 seconds before the games final.
Okkodo had trouble closing out quarters on the defensive end with coach Mad believing their talent alone carried them.
“It came down to a lack of hustle. They were in position, but the second effort wasn’t there. There was no communication on defense, I was doing all the talking. The things we do right in our better games we didn’t do well tonight. GW played well tonight. It would have been a different game if we didn’t have the shooters we do,” said Mad.
The Bulldogs host the Guam High Panthers on Friday while GW continues their Northern trip as they take on the Sanchez Sharks.
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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
- 30
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Events for May
29th
Events for May
30th

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR PLAYERS DRAFTED

Volleyball
TITANS COMPLETE PERFECT 2022 SEASON

Volleyball
ROSARIO: BOYS VOLLEYBALL MVP

Baseball
DODGERS HAND TRITONS FIRST LOSS

Running/Track
FBLG, BMS CONQUER MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD ALL-ISLAND
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