
By Robert Balajadia
The ND Royals showed Saturday why they’re considered one of the leagues top teams after beating the defending champion GW Lady Geckos 24-7 in the final game of Week 2 of the IIAAG rugby season. ND also defeated a tough Okkodo squad in the earlier game as they remain the lone unbeaten team this far.
Taking center stage in the match was Royal’s Hana Takano, who scored her teams first three tries on the day. Takano scored two in the first half to give her team a 10-0 lead and then added one more in the second half to answer a Gecko try from Daeleen Pangelinan to extend the lead 17-7.
“We came in a little bit nervous and I guess the first score really got the jitters out of everyone. We came together to play as one like we always do,” said Hana on her early scores.
As for Takano’s scoring tries, she might have earned a new nickname with how she described her break away speed.
“I just saw an opening and took it. Just dropped the clutch, måpos,” laughed Hana.
Royal Taylor Paige Aguon added the finishing touches on the game with a late try in the second half as Austia Mendiola successfully converted that kick after for the 24-7 final.
Dictating the speed of the game was a key aspect for the Royals and their head coach Conrad Kerber hasn’t let them take their foot off the gas pedal.
“They know that everything has been set from ground zero this year. We set a game plan and it’s up to us to implement that game plan. I see how important it is for us to set the pace of the game and have the other team have to react to our pace. We were able to do that today, set the tone and set the pace,” said Kerber.
It’s still an early in the season, but the Royals do remain the lone undefeated girls team after two weeks of play. With Kerber back on the coaching grind, he now leads a talented group of girls backed with a lot of familiarity. A handful of his current players on his roster now were playing under him at Bishop, which has helped in the transition to coaching high school rugby.
“I saw a lot of my middle school talents on this team and a bunch of their parents asked me to see what I could do with this team. It was easy to get that core group together and everyone just feeds off of that. It’s inspiring to see them continue to do what I’ve coached. There is still a lot of room for improvement,” added Kerber.
Week 2 Scores
Boys Varsity
Sanchez 15, Tiyan 5
Okkodo 20, Southern 6
FD 38, JFK 5
Girls Varsity
Sanchez 15, Academy 0
Tiyan 5, JFK 0 – forfeit
ND 25, Okkodo 5
GW 17, Southern
Tiyan 10, Academy 0
ND 24, GW 7
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:


GPS Sports Calendar
January 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Events for December
31st
Events for January
1st
Events for January
2nd
Events for January
3rd
Events for January
4th
Events for January
5th
Events for January
6th
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
Events for January
7th
Events for January
8th
Events for January
9th
Events for January
10th
Events for January
11th
Events for January
12th
Events for January
14th
Events for January
15th
Events for January
16th
Events for January
17th
Events for January
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
21st
LIFT HEAVY + LIFT FAST – BFF SERIES
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for January
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for January
24th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for January
25th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for January
26th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for January
27th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
GLORIFIED SPARRING X
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
28th
5K DASH FOR ASH
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for January
29th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 1
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
30th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for January
31st
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL

Running/Track
’23 TRACK SEASON OPENS

Basketball
TAKUMI SIMON MAKING THE BEST OF PRO LIFE

Volleyball
H.S. BEACH VOLLEYBALL IN FULL SWING
COMING SOON …
- 3rd Quarter Sports