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By Regina Shiroma

Paradise Zombie Ninjas’ Kayla Taguacta runs the ball down the line towards the try zone. (photo by Asha Robles)
The second Heineken beach rugby tournament wrapped up its action-packed weekend with its cup matchup between the first place Paradise Zombie Ninjas and the second place Da Smurfs. The teams put on an exciting game for those in attendance, displaying their rugby talents in the way they quickly moved the ball up and down the line with ease and executed crafty plays to outsmart each other’s defense. Though the Zombie Ninjas were down in the first half, they came from behind and eventually took home the title 5-3.
Da Smurfs Janae Sagun put her team up 3-1 at the start of the second half. Cera Taguacta calmed her team’s nerves by scoring a try of her own to bring the Zombie Ninjas within one try of their opponent. Taguacta went on to score two more tries in the half assisted by sister Kayla Taguacta and teammate Jeric Abisia, taking the lead 4-3 with less than 30 seconds remaining. Abisia assisted the final try, passing the ball quickly over to Nate Baza at the wing who then dove into the corner of the try zone securing the win.
In the first half, Da Smurfs’ Jeremy Manglona scored the first try of the game; however, their lead was short-lived as Cera Taguacta followed after tying the game at 1-all. A few minutes later, Epeli “Ratu” Uluiviti allowed his team to take the lead once again, intercepting the ball and running it back down to his try zone.
“We never practiced as a team, but when we played the first day there was chemistry already, right from the get-go. So I think that’s what got us going every game. And just communicating, defense, offense, and really the chemistry is what got us to the finals,” said Cera Taguacta, who scored four tries in the win.

Cera Taguacta of the Paradise Zombie Ninjas puts the ball down after being touched. (photo by Asha Robles)
The chemistry came easier probably because they were playing with their siblings (the Taguacta sisters, Cera, Kayla and Kimberly and the Abisia brothers, Joshua and Jeric) and close friends explained Cera Taguacta.
Since it was the championship match, the halves were two minutes longer than the normal time. “It was tiring, I know I was getting fatigued throughout the game, but you know just focusing on one play at a time, getting back five; just doing the simple things will get you far,” said Cera Taguacta.
The plate winners, the Seeweed Blazers, grabbed the win in sudden death, thanks to Vinson Calvo’s try. The Bowl went to the Heineken Ninja Turtles who defeated the Fire Ballers.
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Paradise Zombie Ninjas’ Kayla Taguacta looks for an open gap as she gets closer to the try zone. (photo by Asha Robles)

Joshua Abisia from Paradise Zombie Ninjas tries to drive through Da Smurfs defense. (photo by Asha Robles)
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GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
11th
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
19th
SPRINT TRIATHLON, PACIFIC GAMES QUALIFIER
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

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Volleyball
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