FRIARS START SEASON STRONG

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By Niko Bulaon

Friars’ Sean Bumagat makes a pass to his teammate to start things off in the first set. (GSPN photo)

The IIAAG High School Boys’ Volleyball season is finally here as each school planned to grab their first win Saturday night. The Father Duenas Friars topped the young Simon Sanchez Sharks 25-8, 25-15, starting their season with high hopes.

In the first set, the Friars startled the Sharks, beating them in offense and defense, causing the Sharks to commit unforced errors. Friars’ middle blockers Michael Sakazaki and Jeremiah Taitano brought their fans to their feet every rally with a huge kill or a big block to keep the shorter Sharks stumbling to play the ball. Using their height advantage, the Friars kept the Sharks at only eight by the end of the first set.

“It starts with the first pass and the set,” said Sakazaki on his performance. “It was more of a team effort.”

McDonald’s player of the game: Friars’ Michael Sakazaki

The frustrated Sharks looked to turn the game around at the start of the second, fighting for every ball and creating a short lead. But it wasn’t long for the Friars to find their rhythm again to bring the favor on their side.

As the Friars started to commit careless errors, the Sharks stayed at their heels, giving the Friars not much room to breathe. Sharks Kassidy Abisia brought his team closer with a score of 15-13 after a block and a satisfying kill against the Friars.

Sharks’ Cameron Lunod spikes the ball from the back court. (GSPN photo)

But the Sharks found no advantage against their taller opponents as Sakazaki and Taitano could not be challenged at the net, giving the Friars the win after a hard fought set.

“Coming from basketball, we’re just treating each game like its our last,” Sakazaki commented when asked where he saw his team going after their season opening win. “We’re just taking each game at a time.”

Sakazaki led the Friars with five kills and two blocks. Taitano aided with three kills and two blocks of his own.

In other games:
The defending champion GW Geckos easily handled the Guam High Panthers 25-14, 25-18.

The JFK Islanders got past the tough Guam Adventist Academy Angels 25-11, 26-24

The Okkodo Bulldogs take care of the Harvest Eagles 25-21, 25-19

The St. Paul Warriors picked up a forfeit win over the Southern Dolphins

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Friars’ Tristin Debold prepares to set the ball for his teammate. (GSPN photo)

Sharks’ Facundo Santamina gets his spike sent back by the double block of Friars’ Michael Sakazaki and Shaine Munoz. (GSPN photo)

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