SHARKS DEFEND ISA TITLE IN 5 SETS OVER GECKOS

By Matt Lorenzo

The Sanchez Sharks have defended their ISA Girls Volleyball League title after taking down the GW Geckos 25-16, 27-29, 25-18, 27-29, 15-3 Tuesday night at the UOG Calvo Field House.

The Lady Geckos, not seeing the championship stage in two years, made their presence known with their young squad making the Lady Sharks fight for the win.

“GW put up such an amazing fight, we really had to fight for each and every point,” said league MVP Lyrwana Mugol, Sanchez Outside Hitter.

Sanchez had comfortable set wins in the first and third sets, while GW had to grind out long 29-27 sets to send it to the decisive fifth set. That’s where the Sharks blew the championship match with a no-question 15-3 drubbing.

The MVP had a game-high 17 kills, while Erin Clemena had a huge night at the net with 15 kills and 16 big blocks. Hazelle Derbai and Brianna Simina each had seven aces. All four Sharks were First Team All-Island selectees.

1st Set
The Sharks came out strong in the opening set with powerhouses Derbai and Clemena setting the tone early in the match. Firing back came Savannah Dela Rosa with the Geckos with powerful kills that went straight past the Sharks defense.

Simina, the Sharks setter, was consistent all night showing her high volleyball IQ with well timed sets delivered with accuracy, She also put up a lot of amazing tips that left the Geckos on their toes.

Defensively, the Sharks were anchored by Katherina Pineda not letting anything get past her. On the other side of the net the Geckos were led defensively by the duo of Marii Manipol and Alexa Roberto.

The Sharks took the first set 25-16.

2nd Set
The Geckos and their fans came fired up in the second set with the defensive duo of Manipol and Roberto returning all of Sanchez’s offensive attacks. Despite Manipol’s and Roberto’s efforts, the Sharks found traction in Clemena delivering multiple demanding kills stopping the Geckos in their tracks.

Subbing back in, Dela Rosa gave the Geckos the fire power needed to get their feet back in the game. Dela Rosa hit her kills with demanding power, guiding GW to an exciting 29-27 set win.

3rd Set
Comin back from the 2nd set loss, the Sharks preyed on defensive errors from the Geckos. Clemena and Mugol shined in the third set, dominating the top of the net. Along with putting up monster kills they also put work in on defense returning a lot of the Geckos hits.

Eventually, Derbai made her presence known slamming down multiple kills to put this set in the Sharks bag.

4th Set
With their chances of the win on the line the Geckos brought out all the stops in the 4th set, moving as a well oiled-machine both offensively and defensively. Standout performances from Dela Rosa, Manipol, and Roberto were key in their success this set.

The Sharks put up a fight extending the set all the way past 25 points with crucial tips by Simina and kills from Katherina Pineda. But it was to no avail as Mea Manipol put this set away with an ace.

5th Set
With the championship on the line, the Sharks left no doubt who’s the best ISA team on island.

“We were confident coming into the 5th set. The team knew that every point mattered,” Sanchez head coach Rich Tumanda said. “We minimized our errors and made sure that our defense tightened up to anticipate the short balls. Our serving and blocking pulled through. Very proud of these girls.”

Pineda and Mugol were crucial this set. The Geckos defense wilted as Mugol went on a serving spree. The Sharks impressive offensive power gained them a lead of 14-3 with the last point to be served by Mugol. In true MVP fashion, she delivered her lone ace of the match, winning her and the Lady Sharks back-to-back titles.

Perfect Season
Acing the regular season and playoffs, the Lady Sharks came into this game 11-0. Their teamwork and discipline were paramount In their success allowing them to dominate the league.

The jump right onto a plane Wednesday morning to play in 2nd Smash Sparta Volleyball Tournament in Tagaytay, Philippines.

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