By: Edreign Magdael
The Blue Eagles have brought a decisive defeat to the evenly matched prowess, competency, and determination of the Red Tamaraws on September 16, the third day of the Senior High School Intramurals, in the Men’s Volleyball Championship, in the Edgar V. Bondoc Gymnasium after three sets of constant deadlock.
The teams competed fiercely among each other with a constant back-and-forth of wins and losses. The Reds would claim victory on the first set of the game, but the Blues would triumph on the second set. The stalemate would lead to a third, final, and decisive round where the scores were tied three times until the Blues were able to achieve a great victory.
The game started with an impressive serve from Franz Ambaic, number sixteen, of the Blue Eagles. His serves would garner the Blue Eagles their first two points of the first set, but the Red Tamaraws retaliated and scored their first point of the set.
The Blue Eagles, however, would gain a gargantuan lead of nine-points over the Red Tamaraws. However, the tide of the battle would soon change. The score was 2-11, in favor of the Blue Eagles, but that after numerous botched serves committed by the Blue Eagles, their lead shrunk and the score was 7-13. Ryan Daza, number fourteen, of the Red Tamaraws delivered three winning serves which changed the tide of the game. The Red Tamaraws were slowly catching up to the Blues with the score 10-14.
When the score was 16-17, the Blue Eagles’ lead reduced to one-point, they called a time out to disrupt the outstanding momentum of the Red Tamaraws. After the time-out, the battle ensued. Kyle Rjie Gascon, number ten, of the Red Tamaraws ties the game with a service ace. The Red Tamaraws exhibited ferocity and defiance by catching up to the gargantuan lead of the Blue Eagles. Glen Floyd Seda, number 2, of the Blue Eagles would deliver the three successive points through his victorious serves. The Red Tamaraws kept up to the challenge by once more catching up to the Blue Eagles 21-21.
Then, what seemed impossible earlier into the set happened. The Red Tamaraws overtook the Blue Eagles with a vanquishing serve from Jedrek Apale, number twenty-two. His serves gave the Red Tamaraws the lead for the first time in the set 23-21. With an overshot that left the ball outside and a failed serve from the Blue team, the Mighty Red Tamaraws were victorious as they staged a stunning comeback against the Soaring Blue Eagles.
However, the Blue team would recover from this loss by winning the second set. It started with three successive triumphant serves by James Agtoto, number nineteen, of the Blue Eagles. The Red Tamaraws would gain their first point when Apale blocked the ball from the net during the rally, bouncing it back to the blue court.
The Blue Eagles would then gain the momentum scoring seven consecutive points, thus gaining an eight-point lead, which brought the score a 10-2. Seda led the Blue Eagles during their 7 point run through his victorious serves and through increasing the team’s defensive and offensive capability by giving them motivation.
However, the Red Tamaraws once more attempted to close the gap by scoring three consecutive points through the winning serves of Apale, which brought the score to 10-5, still in favor of the Blue Eagles with the Red Tamaraws slowly trailing behind.
Afterwards, there was a constant back-and-forth between the two teams, but in the end, the Blue Eagles would retain their lead. Number fifteen, Daniel Sonza, another valuable player from the Blue Eagles, with his serves and skill in defending helped the his team score a staggering consecutive eight points which brought the score from 14-8 to 22-8, stopping only when his last service went outside.
However, the fate of the Red Tamaraws had already been sealed for the second set. The Blue Eagles took the second set. Both teams prepare for another intense set as they discuss their strategy with their teams.
The third set started off with 2 bewildering serves from Daza of the Red Tamaraws. Blue Eagles would gain their first point after a violation from the Tamaraws. Sonza would give the Eagles their second point that resulted in an early tie with the score being 2-2. He continues to give the Eagles two more points with his serves, as well as the defense put up by his team. The Tamaraws would score their next point when Sonza’s serve fails to reach the Red Tamaraws’ court.
Gabriel Lantaca, number 00, of the Red Tamaraws would tie their scores again with a score of 4-4 with his ferocious serve. Afterwards, a fierce rally between the Eagles and Tamaraws commences where the Tamaraws would triumph against the Eagles. However, the Eagles did not stay silent as they persisted against the Tamaraws during the next rally where they successfully block the ball. Hence, the teams are in stalemate 5-5.
The Red Tamaraws would then sneakily gain the lead as the Blue Eagles fail to defend their court. They immediately attempt to increase their lead yet the Eagles’ Seda stomps and blocks their attacks which further intensifies the game 6-6. The crowd cheers wildly as the intensity from the court radiates around the venue. The Blue Eagles recollect and use their remaining strength as they go on fire, gaining the momentum, scoring consecutive points before switching court 8-6.
The Eagles score the first points after the switch. However, the Tamaraws stop their momentum as they score two relentless points, reducing the Eagles’ lead to 1 point with the score 9-8. The intensity of the game reaches the players as they commit mistakes resulting in points for the opposing team. The Blue Eagles’ Seda used this opportunity as he scores three consecutive points to bring his team ever closer towards the victory with a score 13-8. Their 3 point run would only stop when they fail to return the ball to the opposing court. The Red Tamaraws attempted to close the gap with a serve from Apale that resulted in the score 13-10.
Apale would serve again afterwards, only to be defeated by an elegant return by Sonza. The score was now a 14-10 and the Blue team were now chanting “Isa pa!” This means “One more!” In Filipino.
The Blue Eagles would eventually defeat the Red Tamaraws when they overthrow the ball out of the court. The Blue Eagles’ bench roared in victory as they celebrate their win. The final score 15-10.
Afterwards, the two teams “crossed the court” and shook hands with their formidable foes, reminding the crowd of the true value of sportsmanship.