EAGLES ROLL THROUGH TO FINALS, SWEEP TITANS

By Jay Leon Guerrero

Fly Eagles, Fly!

The Harvest Eagles fired away on all cylinders Tuesday night with a straight set 25-15, 25-16, 25-23 IIAAG/ISA Volleyball league playoff semifinal victory over the Tiyan Titans on their home court.

The victory sets up another showdown with rival FD Friars Thursday night, who defeated the ND Royals in four sets. Both teams enter the game with identical 14-1 records with the Friars handing the Eagles their lone loss early in the season.

Jack Keith put on a show Tuesday night with highlight kills and service aces. “I feel this is our year – our mindset is great,” said Keith. “It’s my final year and I want to play FD – it would not feel right if I didn’t go out playing FD (for the championship).”

The Friars are six-time IIAAG champions and they’ve been the team that has denied the Eagles of championship glory.

2025 may very well be the year of the Eagle. The team has experience and leadership with seniors Keith, Caleb Judicpa, Jacob Ji, and Tai Castro leading the way.

Keith and Devin Paulin led the Eagles with 11 kills. Ji, Judicpa, and Keith combined for 13 service aces. Judipca, the team setter, had three blocks.

“Our coach (Brandon Pegarido) talks about legacy and leaving our legacy here,” said Judicpa. “We’ve been playing together since sixth grade and we have good team chemistry.”

The road ends for an inspired Tiyan team that pulled off an upset against the St John’s Knights in the quarterfinals. Inspired to play for coach Rod Pama, the young Titans team played their hearts out – but the well-rounded Eagles team minimized their errors and stayed composed. The Titans fall to 9-6 for the season.

“Our game plan tonight was to focus on Skyler (Blas) and how they attack the sharp angle,” said Judipca. “We tried to adjust our block and it worked out tonight.”

With the Eagles focused on containing Blas, a door opened for Tiyan outside hitter Nathan Aguigui. Aguigui had a game-high eight kills and led the Titan rally in the third set for a near comeback.

The top-seeded Eagles look to avenge an early season loss to the Friars. Both teams have suffered one loss this season (FD lost to ND in the regular season).

Expect fireworks and loud cheering this Thursday at JFK. In last year’s championship game, the Friars defeated the Eagles in five sets. The final game of the school year is scheduled to start at 7 pm.

Note: The tandem of Keith/Paulin captured the boys beach volleyball title just months ago over their FD opponents.