WOMEN’S defending champion University of Mindanao (UM) and 2018 men’s runner-up DMMA College of Southern Philippines (DCSP) drew first blood by routing their respective rivals in the opener of the Davao City Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) Meet 2019 volleyball competition at UM Matina gym Saturday.
Five-time city Prisaa Meet champion UM Lady Wildcats, coached by Joaquin Sarabia, outclassed Abet Bernan-mentored Davao Doctors College (DDC), 25-13, 25-11, 25-7 in women’s event behind team captain Glenda Gregg Agang’s heroics.
She scored on six consecutive service aces to pull away 13-7 after both teams were tied at 7-all in the second set.
The UM breezed past DDC in the final set as Agang, who is playing her final year with UM, unleashed her power attacks while teammates Rhea Jane Dampiganon, April Rose Yura, and Lyle Darren Amora also did their share in offense and defense.
The 22-year-old Agang, a graduating BSBA HR student, said only six of them from last year’s champion team remained. She, however, is confident that they would retain the title.
“Naay chances depensahan, mas kumpleto mi og mas naga-jell mi karon (We have strong chances to keep the title as we are complete and we are jelling well),” she told SunStar in an interview after the game.
In men’s division, DCSP spanked Emar Human Environmental College, 25-12, 25-16.
DCSP coach Ron Mirasol said they still have a long way to go in the single round robin format competition where the top team with the most number of wins will have a twice-to-beat advantage in the finals.
He said DCSP only has two core players from last year’s line-up while the rest are neophytes.
“Makasulod lang mi ungta sa finals okay na. Kusog gihapon ang UM, sila ang defending champion (We just want to make it to the finals. UM is still a strong team, they are the defending champion),” he said.
Meanwhile, Agro-Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines bounced back from a first set loss to beat DDC, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-18.
Games were still ongoing as of Saturday.