BAGUIO CITY – The California Academy of Antipolo and the University of the Cordilleras High School (UCHS) scored contrasting wins as they start their bid in the 1st Baguio Inter-High School Volleyball Invitational at the Engineer’s Hill court here on Friday.
California started slowly but found its stride to rout Holy Family Academy of Angeles (HFAA) City 25-9 and 25-17 to open their campaign in the tournament that lured 11 teams from nine high schools from five regions.
The former Batang Pinoy national finals champion which beat Baguio-Benguet collegiate champion Baguio College of Technology last month in Pudtol, Apayao trailed 5-7 before finding its stride to easily put away the B team of the Angeles, Pampanga squad.
UCHS, on the other hand, found University of Luzon of Dagupan City a tough nut to crack in the first set but still managed to eke a 27-25, 25-13 victory.
With most of its players playing like the coldness due to a wet Friday weather, UC fell behind 14-18. But a 5-1 run including a stab from setter Syzzle Rosario allowed the host squad to take a 19-18 lead.
But it was trouble in the ensuing plays for the Baby Lady Jags as they were staring at a set point but earned three more points to escape.
With its morale now on full rev, the Baby Jags raced to a 5-1 race and never allowed the visitors to come close to put away the game.
“We were just not talking. We wanted to score but then there was no play as each wanted to score,” summed Vivienne Padayao, who scored on a spike and blocked the ball for the match point.
“First game at first time makalaro sila (it was our first game and also our first time to play with them),” said captain Angela Kier Sabas, who found her rhythm in the second set scoring the first two points of the team.
HFAA’s A squad, meanwhile, thumped University of Baguio 25-19 and 25-17 to open its title bid in bracket B while Baguio City High School showed resiliency and poise to survive a gritty but young UCHS – B, 25-22, 25-19.
A total of 11 teams see action in the 1st Baguio inter-high school volleyball tournament that will run until Sunday.
Pudtol Vocational High School also opened its bid against California and were currently playing at the city’s first-ever 18-under competition backed by the city government of Baguio, the Department of Education – Cordillera and the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF).
Slated also to see action in the three-day competition are Gracel Christian College Foundation of Taguig City and First City Providential College of Bulacan. (PNA)
