THE Paglaum Misamis Oriental spikers debuted with a bang in the 2022 Siglakas Volleyball Tournament which formally opened last Friday at the Gingoog City gymnasium.
Refusing to get tired from a two-hour-long travel from Cagayan de Oro, the wards of Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia summoned all their strength and courage to hurdle their first two-game assignments in the men’s and women’s divisions.
The Provincial Capitol boys struggled early in their preliminary match with the City Mayor’s Office spikers of host Gingoog City under Mayor Erick Cañosa.
But proper adjustment, anchored by the ‘Berlin Wall’ defense of middle blocker Francis Condeza, who repeatedly scored on playing coach Bobong Rameri’s well-timed feeds, had paved the way to a hard-earned two-set (21-19, 21-18) win by the visitors.
They had an easy task, however, against the 4th Infantry Division Army whom they also conquered in two-straight sets, 21-16, 21-15.
In contrast, the province’s volleybelles encountered some rough sailing on the floor as the Department of Public Works and Highways Skyscrapers of Gingoog pummeled them in the early goings, leading by as much as 11-2 and 12-3 under the inspiring glare of Mayor Canosa’s sports consultant Efren Pollentes and sports coordinator Tedd Julius Javier.
But survive they did in those two complex tumultuous sets.
Paired against Gingoog’s City Health Office workers in their next outing, the Capitol employees essayed the first set, 21-19. But the CHO rebounded with a lopsided 21-11 finish in the second set, thus forcing a decision.
With the night creeping in, the homegrown team again played aggressively in the deciding set, taking the lead by four points, prompting coach Rameri to call for a timeout.
It was proven effective as Team Paglaum could level the score at 14-all with only one to go in the nightcap Rameri decided to call for another timeout.
When the breathtaking match resumed, a torrid exchange of mean taps and spikes ensued but with the visiting squad getting the better of it, 15-14 to duplicate their male counterparts’ immaculate 2-0 record in the three-straight Fridays’ hostilities.
“Mora'g hayahay kay 2-0 pero grabe nga kuba-kuba sa dughan among gibati,” coach Rameri’s female charges later shared.
Playing alongside Condeza and Rameri are Irvin Magic Dahiroc, Paul Campomanes, Joe Franz Lorena, Jay Micutuan, Clark Vincent Tagarao, Mc Auley Tumarong, and Leslie Jay Taroy.
Comprising Paglaum women’s team are Joan Polinar, Ana Virtudazo, Feona Marie Beja, Sheryl Yap, Erikha Vinyce Caballes, Cherry Lou Fernandez, and Zarrah Brenda Quirino.
