Tuesday, August 07, 2007 MLSDF All-Stars whip Tacloban in Maasin volley
THE Cebuanas showed they could be just as powerful as the elite players when they shamed members of the RP team in the 7th Maasin City Charter Day Open and Invitational Volleyball Tournament last Sunday at the Maasin City Gym.
The M. Luillier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF) All-Stars, who are collegiate or former varsity players, defeated Tacloban City Volleyball Club (TCVC) in a five-set thriller, 23-25, 25-14, 25-10, 26-28, 15-9.
“If we were taller, we could have been RP team members,” quipped MLSDF setter Janeth Ponte, who once steered Southwestern University to the national championships of Nestea Beach Volleyball. She now coaches SWU, which finished third place in Maasin.
The All-Stars first succumbed to the prowess of RP team members Michelle Laborte and Michelle Carolino, who were at the forefront of TCVC as the Cebuanas dropped the first set.
MLSDF, however, crawled back in the second set with more determination. Behind the egging of coaches Hentjie Tomales and Norvie Labuga, the troop went on to sweep the next two sets.
With their egos at stake, Carolino and Laborte refused to buck down without a fight as TCVC managed to put up an eight- point margin in the fourth set.
Ponte, tired from playing since the opening whistle, had to be replaced by Kenette Garces in doing setter duties. This time, MLSDF overcame the deficit to challenge the Tacloban lasses.
Effectivity
“We were down eight points but we caught up,” added Ponte.
After two slide twos, however, TCVC claimed the set, to forge for a deciding fifth period.
At this point Laborte and Carolino, who had played the entire game, lost their effectivity.
“They got tired because we were targeting them,” said Ponte.
The All-Stars managed to break plays intended for the the RP duo. “Our plays really worked because the spikes of Joren (Sanchez), Mechelle (Matuguina) and Jusabelle (Brillo) clicked well,” Ponte added.
“Another factor for our win is defense. We were able to anticipate their plays and we had formidable blocking,” said Matuguina. (MCB)
