APIAG GUIDES GECKOS TO 5-SET WIN

By Jay Leon Guerrero

The George Washington Geckos are now 2-0 in the ISA Boys Volleyball league after defeating the three-time defending champion Tiyan Titans in five sets (20-25, 27-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12). The game had fans at the edge of their seats at the Tiyan Gym, with both teams working hard to get the victory.

It’s still early in the season, but the Titans fall to 0-2 after losing in straight sets to the Guam Adventist Academy Angels earlier this week. Tiyan head coach lost three All-Island players with Gerald Malana (2023 MVP), Noel Ericcson, and setter Tyrone Buekis gone due to graduation.

Despite the loss in firepower, the young Tiyan team showed potential with sophomore Nathan Aguigui and junior Skyler Blas making highlight plays.

“Everyone has their time. If it’s our time to show out compared to others, then we’re here for it,” said GW senior libero Leiland Gumabon.

The Titans were rolling early with 25-20 win in the first set. Tiyan had an early lead in the second set, but GW found their rhythm with senior Zuriel Joker scoring the final two points to win 27-25.

“In the beginning, it was rough. We made so many mistakes,” said senior outside hitter Kaden Apiag. “But we found our energy and played the rest of the game to the best of our abilities.”

The Titans go ahead 16-12 in the third set with Nash Ericsson and Blas recording kills. GW comes back to take a 21-20 lead with Edwin Leon Guerrero’s kill, followed by an ace from Gumabon.

The Titans regrouped with Ericsson and Jayce Berrera making plays at the net to win 25-23.

The Titans looked to end the game in the fourth set, with Blas recording three early kills to go up 9-4. The Geckos counter with Apiag catching fire with five kills in the fourth. The game went back-and-fourth until the final moments with Apiag clinching the game winner to force a fifth and final set, winning 25-23.

The Geckos continue their momentum and played good defense to start the fifth set, going ahead 6-5. The Geckos go on a 3-1 run sparked by Joker to go up 12-9. The Geckos end the game with Jonah Blas recording the game winner to close out with a 15-12 victory.

“One thing we took away from this game was being able to adapt. As a team, we made some mistakes early on, but we were able to improve after each set.”

– GW senior libero Leiland Gumabon

“We really have to learn how to start off games early. Thankfully, we were able to recover,” said Apiag.

Apiag had a game-high 23 kills for GW. Joker ended the game with 10 kills while Leon Guerrero finished with eight kills and three blocks. Gumabon ended the game with two aces.

Skylar Blas led Tiyan with 22 kills and three blocks. Aguigui had 10 kills and two blocks, and Ericsson contributed nine kills for Tiyan. Yulman Jassen Chennaux had two aces for Tiyan.

In the junior varsity game, the Geckos defeated the Titans 25-23, 25-10.