North keeps beach volley titles

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte - Highly-touted Davao del Norte spikers defended their men's and women's titles in the 2013 Southern Mindanao Private Schools Athletic Association (SM Prisaa) Region 11 Meet beach volleyball competition at the Volleydrome, Rotary Park here on Friday afternoon.

Brothers Jefty and John Amora with Hachaliah Gilbuena of University of Mindanao Tagum College (UMTC) turned back UM Main-bannered Davao City team of Francis Caunga, Reymark Anthony Demetrio and Marvin Antonio in two straight sets in men's finals.

In the distaff side, national Prisaa grand slam women's champions Lourdilyn Catubag, Karen Kay Quilario and Elizabeth Olivar also won on the same note opposite Davao del Norte bets from Cor Jesu College of Digos.

Davao del Norte coach Pedrito Manulat, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao, said: "We hope the men's team will reclaim the national championship in Pangasinan and that our women's team will go for a fourth title (smiles). That our target."

It can be recalled that the region was only runner-up to Central Visayas in the 2012 men's finals held in Cebu City.

National Prisaa chair Emmanuel Y. Angeles, in his message during the opening rites held at Dr. Pedro San Jose Gym of UMTC, congratulated organizers and participants for being one with Prisaa's goals of imbibing the youth with values of sportsmanship, integrity and discipline.

"More than winning medals, we give more premise in the athlete's social well-being through sports since there is a leader in every player. It is our goal in developing good leaders in each one of you," Angeles said.

He urged athletes and coaches to focus not on winning but to have fun and camaraderie among themselves.

Angeles, however, said Prisaa also aims to discover and develop world-class athletes and next generation of Filipinos with deep sense of nationalism and social responsibility.

SM Prisaa president Maria Lita Montalban of Emar Human Environmental College, meanwhile, called on coaches, athletes and officials enjoy every moment of the three-day event whether they win or lose.