BOUND to a big war in December, the Kong Hua High School volleybelles of Cagayan de Oro learned a lesson or two from the visiting Paglaum Misamis Oriental Hotties.

This, after the Paglaum’s Fighting 6 ― Francheska Ann Tyros, Megan Enarciso Tyros, Shajara Zin Samon, Bj Magdale, Briza Louise Ratilla, Hanna Shayne Pansacala ― surprised the Kong Hua Lady Dragons, 2-1 in their exhibition match.

The well-applauded tussle served as an appetizer in the culmination games of the 2022 Paglaum Inter-Office Sportsfest last Friday at the Provincial Capitol ground.

For the Kong Hua team that ruled in the 2022 Rebisco 18-Under Girls Northern Mindanao Leg elimination in September at Barangay 24 covered court, facing the Hotties was part of their tune-up games before heading to Sta. Rosa, Laguna on December 9-15 for the Rebisco King Flakes-backed national championship.

WALL OF DEFENSE. Kong Hua’s five-foot-10 middle blocker Kaiza Huyno
tries to stop Misamis Oriental’s Francheska Ann Tayros from scoring in this bit of Paglaum women’s volleyball action last Friday at the Capitol Grounds. Photo by Lynde Salgados

“Yes, kulang pa. Dako sila’g natun-an from their much older counterparts from Paglaum MisOr Volleyball,” Kong Hua coach Reynante ‘Bobong’ Rameri told Gold Star Daily.

Despite coming with a lean roster, the MisOr Hotties immediately made their presence felt by taking the opening set.

It did wake the Kong Hua Beauties who stepped up in the second set to level the score behind the killer spikes of Rebisco NorMin leg MVP Julianna Estudillo, the defensive stance of five-foot-10 middle blocker Kaiza Huyno and the able support of Sheila Batobato, Niña Fay Alforque, Tavi Peñaflor, and Franzine Ozmarrah Rameri.

The battle-scarred MisOr’s experience and tenacity, however, showed the most in the deciding third set.

“Dugang strataheya pa ug pagbansay-bansay ang angay’ng himoon before sa among December 6 flight to Laguna,” coach Rameri said.

Also with the youthful Kong Hua Dragons are the promising Audrey Lorah Rodas, Alex San Jose, Paulla Ortega, Maria Moreno, Tzi Sanchez, and Iya Wilfia Paclar.

Impressed by the MisOr Hotties’ performance, Provincial Sports Coordinator Francis Sean Condeza and Provincial Sports Executive Director Efren Pollentes have agreed to suggest to Governor Peter Unabia to develop the women’s volleyball team.

Still, to be called Paglaum MisOr Hotties, they expect them to be useful not only in promoting the image of the province’s sports but also in matters involving tourism.