By Niko Bulaon

The Okkodo Bulldogs pushed past the Guam High Panthers in two sets, 25-16, 25-22, at the Guam High gymnasium Saturday night after surviving a late second set comeback.

The Bulldogs came in with a set of kills, putting them easily ahead of their opponents, but untimely errors by Okkodo kept the Panthers in pace with their opponents in both the first and second set. After a Guam High error, the Bulldogs pushed their lead to six, 16-10.

Okkodo Bulldogs’ Jed Antonio hammers a kill past the Panther blockers. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

However, the Panthers put in a pair of aces and tips, cutting into their opponents lead, 18-15. Bulldogs’ captain Arvi Santos soon stepped up with back-to-back aces, putting the score at 22-15. A kill from Panthers Kin Edusada delayed his opponents from taking the first set, but an error and a kill by Bulldogs Breinard Cristobal gave Okkodo the first set advantage.

Okkodo started the second set with a 4-0 run, until an error put the Panthers into the game. But the Bulldogs didn’t stop there: a tip by Jeddou Antonio and an ace from Tristan Gonzales kept their team ahead of the opponents, 6-2. Multiple errors from both sides kept the Panthers close to the Bulldogs until a kill by Cristobal sparked a 5-0 run, putting the score at 13-4.

As Okkodo kept their scoring spree on, making it look like an easy win, an error from the Bulldogs gave their opponents a chance to force a third set. A tip from Edusada sparked a run from his team, closing the gap at one, 23-22. But errors from Guam High ended the second set, giving the Bulldogs the win.

“Our team pushed,” said Santos about the second set. “We tried to bring up our swing players and tried to put them in to see how they will handle varsity. So far, they’ve been pushing hard and we just pushed for the win.”

With the volleyball season getting closer to playoffs, Santos said, “I think we’ll do all right. It depends on how our team plays with our transition, our defense, and our communication. It’s all about teamwork, we just need to be there as a team physically and mentally.”

PHOTO GALLERY

The Bulldogs celebrate after winning the first set. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Bulldogs Vernan Escalona prepares to set a ball. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

(photo by Robert Balajadia)

Panthers’ Kurt Edusada races to the ball. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Bulldogs’ Jed Antonio gets up and over the net. (photo by Robert Balajadia)