
By Mike Nauta Jr.
On Sunday afternoon, the 2015 Pacific Summer Invitational Volleyball Tournament came to a close with two teams battling for this year’s crown. After going through pool play undefeated, the University of Santo Tomas Spikers took on Guam’s Manhoben Hawks in an exciting match that needed four sets to declare a champion. When all was said and done, it was the girls from the Philippines who hoisted the first-place trophy and donned their gold medals after defeating the Hawks 25-12, 22-25, 25-19, 25-15.
“This was a great experience, especially being able to play against players from another country,” said Hawks captain Sia Duenas. “We played against a very good UST team in the finals and we fell short of clinching a championship, but as a team and individuals we gained a load of experience.”
In the opening set, the Spikers came out firing as they built a commanding 8-1 lead backed by the strong serving of Patricia Ysabel Cenzon. Manhoben found some difficulty getting their offense started as their deficit grew and eventually trailed 13-2. After a called timeout by the Hawks, back-to-back kills by Jojo Cruz and Duenas igniting a short Hawks rally.
Later in the set, UST responded huge mixing their offense as Cenzon fed her hitters from the middle and outside. The trio of Imee Hernandez, Charlene Rae Bolintiam, and Renee Berdijo went on a hitting and serving spree combining for six kills and four aces to end the set.
After a dismal opening set, Manhoben regrouped in the second as they looked like the top Guam team from pool play. For most of the set, the Hawks turned to Duenas, Cruz, and Alana Fegurgur for some offensive answers. With teammate Samyra Duenas calling the plays, the trio became effective hitters from all parts of the court. While the Spikers managed to keep the game close, the Hawks were able to make a run late in the set. Manhoben managed to turn an 18-16 deficit into a victory after outscoring the Spikers 9-2 to include six combined aces by both Samyra and Sia Duenas.
“We knew what we were capable of doing as a team,” said Hawks co-captain Cruz. “We just had to focus and communicate effectively.”
The Spikers proved too strong in the third and fourth sets and refused to allow the Hawks an opportunity for a fifth and deciding set. Despite the great defense by the Hawks, UST put on a display of strong, precision serving as they disected the Hawks one point at a time. Each time the Hawks tried to spark a rally, Hernandez, Bolintiam, and Berdijo had an answer to put a halt. UST managed to close out the game outscoring the Hawks 50-34 in the third and fourth set.
“Clinching a championship would have allowed us to take home a trophy and that would be nice,” said Cruz. “The bigger picture in the end is a lot of friendships were made and experiences were gained. Congratulations to UST on their win and to LaSalle on their third place finish.”
La Salle Goes The Distance With St. Anthony
The middle school St. Anthony Raiders had a thrilling run in the 2015 tournament, but the visiting La Salle team from the PI got the close win in three sets 26-24, 28-30, 15-10.
The thrilling 2nd set was won by the Raiders after they and La Salle traded point-for-point, surpassing the regulated scoring amount to force the decisive third set.
The length of La Salle proved to be the difference as they managed to stretch a slight lead in the final set to win 3rd place.


GPS Sports Calendar
July 2025
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for June
1st
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
2nd
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
3rd
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
4th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
5th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
6th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
7th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
8th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
9th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
10th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Events for July
11th
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
Events for July
12th
Events for July
13th
Events for July
14th
Events for July
15th
Events for July
16th
Events for July
17th
Events for July
18th
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
Events for July
19th
Events for July
20th
Events for July
21st
Events for July
22nd
Events for July
23rd
Events for July
24th
Events for July
25th
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 1
- 2
Events for July
26th
Events for July
27th
Events for July
28th
Events for July
29th
Events for July
30th

Pacific Mini Games
BASEBALL ADVANCES TO GOLD MEDAL GAME

Pacific Mini Games
KENT GETS GOLD IN 10K, AS EXPECTED

Pacific Mini Games
PMG DAY 4: BASEBALL DOWNS PALAU IN FRONT OF PACKED CROWD

Pacific Mini Games
PMG DAY 2: GUAM STILL SEARCHES FOR FIRST MEDAL

Basketball
RECAP OF FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL WEEKEND

Pacific Mini Games
WATER SPORTS KICKS THINGS OFF IN DAY 1

Jiu-Jitsu
CRUZ BROS. CRUISE THROUGH STATESIDE COMP
COMING SOON …
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament June 27-July 18
Pacific Mini Games June 29-July 9
QUICK HITS