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By Robert Balajadia
The Notre Dame ND Royals Alumni ‘Blaine Afaisen’ Volleyball Tournament wrapped up its first year Sunday night with Team Mix Plate defeating Notorious D.I.G. in two sets, 25-19, 29-27, to take home the tourney’s first-ever title.
Playing in memory of legendary volleyball coach Blaine Afaisen, Alumni from throughout Afaisen’s years of coaching, not just from ND, participated in the event which is already preparing for its second go around.
“We’re going to continue every year and every year is going to get bigger,” said referee John Afaisen and younger brother to coach Blaine. “I’ve got goosebumps. It’s great to see familiar faces from my brothers time. This years turnout is great. I thought it wasn’t going to happen. It’s amazing, my brother would be proud of us.”
The tournament started Friday with seven different teams playing in round robin format for a place in the tournament standings. Mix Plate finished pool play as the 2nd seeded team while Notorious D.I.G. were placed 5th.
D.I.G. took out the top seeded Mosas in the semifinals game while Mix Plate avoided an upset from the 6th place team Chagi.
The veterans of Team Mix Plate were in a battle with D.I.G. in the second set as the young guns were fighting to force a third and final set down 20-15 before making a run to quickly get back in the game.
D.I.G.’s Lester Mariano scored on back-to-back kills to tie the game at 22 when Mix Plate took a timeout to try and stop D.I.G.’s momentum. An error gave D.I.G. their first lead in any set 23-22, but Mix Plate would bounce back.
Battling for the 24th point, Mix Plate’s John Aguigui caught the D.I.G. defense off guard sending the ball towards the back line gaining the point.
Both teams would battle to a 27 tie before Mix Plate settled in and forced D.I.G. to beat them. Debbie Pangelinan got the final point for Mix Plate off a kill to secure the teams first ever title.
Coach, manager, and sister to coach Blaine, Bernice Sablan brought the team together and couldn’t be happier with the result as well as their teams success.
“It was awesome winning this tournament. I never expected to finish this high, but I’m really happy and I’m sure my brother is really happy as well. I tried to get my class of ’86 together, but most of them were too busy but I was able to get a bunch of players who have played under Blaine which is why we’re called ‘Mix Plate.'”


GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for November
1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
ISA BOYS SOCCER
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for December
5th
Events for December
7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Events for December
9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
Events for December
11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for December
12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
15th
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
Events for December
18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
Events for December
19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
19th
Events for December
23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
Events for December
23rd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
27th
Events for December
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for December
30th

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
3×3 HOOPS REPEAT AS GOLDEN BOYS

Basketball
RAPADAS LEADS WILD COUGAR COMEBACK

Baseball
GUAM HOSTS KIWIS IN U15 BASEBALL

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
SHARKS FEND OFF DOLPHINS IN GIRLS HOOPS
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs