VALLEY BELLES BOUNCE TUBA IN SWEEP

December 14, 2024 Community Billboard Sports

TUBA, Benguet

La Trinidad weathered Buguias, one of the Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup – Benguet Women’s Volleyball League’s stronger teams, for a sweep at the municipal gym here last Saturday. Trinidad met stiff resistance in the first set but managed to improve in the next two sets for the 27-25, 25-18, 25- 21 victory which took one hour and 12 minutes. Stephanie Torres was all authority as she assembled 21 points on 13 attack points, four service aces and four blocks that gave the heaviest blow to the host squad.

It was yet the best performance of the University of Baguio Cardinal that earned her another best player of the game, her third and tie Sablan’s JJ Polon for the most. “We are just taking it one game at a time,” said coach Rhon Patrick Garcia, after completing a sweep of the three strongest teams after Sablan – Kapangan, Itogon and now Tuba. Justine Laruan gave quality minutes in the time when many failed to report as she drilled nine mrkers all on attacks. Mya Dione Pawid had a solid game as she chipped in eight, on seven attacks and an ace, while Elyzel Nunez added six markers. Shanel Toledo led the host team with 11 points, while Mary Anne Atuban and Radinka Dumawor chipped in seven each.

Buguias started coldly but found its rhythm midway the first set and scored a 25-19, 25- 12, 25-12 over Kabayan.
Sandra Betwing had 15 points built on 11 attack points and four service aces to register the win for the team which tries to emulate the Philippine Volleyball League top team Creamline in terms of demeanor – be happy. “We just want to play it cool, be happy like Creamline,” said coach Tier Bigo. Geneveb Buyagan may not have the best attacks, but she was almost unstoppable with her service where she scored 11 of her 14 points from that area. She also fired six service aces alone in the fourth.

Desiree Joy Banih had nine points on six attack points and three aces, a complete copy of Eloise Manganip’s output (9 – 6, 3), while Evangeline Bay-an and Bles Bilagot both had five points, the former had five from the service area, four of which alone came in the later part of the last set. No Kabayan player scored in double digit. Itogon won via default when only five Atok players arrived, while the whole Bokod squad was abseng giving Kapangan the win.
Last Thursday at the Benguet State University closed court, Kibungan finished off neighbor Bakun, in three straight sets, 25-15, 25-8, 25-23. Later, Kabayan Heaven Leigh Benito scored 13 points, 12 on attack points and a single ace to power Kabayan past Atok for the 25-14, 25-18, 25-18 in the 68-minute victory.