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SAN JOSE ANTIQUE. The
triumphant IDC-Iloilo Team flashing 6 fingers to signify their 6th
consecutive WV Regional Volleyball Men Championhip. 2nd row R
to L- Asst. Coach Janley Patrona, Coach Tpoy Patrona and IDC
Sports coordinator Dr. Roberto Lozada.
2/7/09
IT'S
6th STRAIGHT
FEB 7. SAN JOSE,
ANTIQUE. In another scintillating finish, IDC led Iloilo Team
demolished all opponents to cop their 6th consecutive WV PRISAA
Volleyball Men's crown. There was some drama initially as
upcoming Team Capiz stretched the defending champion to a 5 set
thriller (25-16, 18-25, 25-13, 24-26, 15-10). "Overconfidence
gid" said Coach Patrona as he assessed the team's
performance. It was difficult to motivate a team that has not
suffered a loss in the local and regional competitions for the past
three years. The near loss was a blessing in disguise as the
fired up Medics Iloilo mowed down the hapless Team Aklan in 3
lopsided sets in their next game 25-14, 25-13, 25-14.
Their encounter with Team Negros, spearheaded by Univ. of St. La
Salle was highly anticipated. The covered court in St.
Anthony College was overflowing with fans and betting was more in
favor of Negros as their players were visibly taller and impressive
in their warm-up. But team IDC-Iloilo had the heart of a
champion, and they hammered Negros in 4 sets, earning a twice to
beat advantage (25-20, 25-19,15-25, 25-20).
In the championship match the next day, it was expected that Negros
would fight back. Negros displayed extra energy in the beginning
and led, until team Iloilo came back and took the first set
25-19. The second set was real tight as both teams dished out
impressive plays to the delight of the Antique fans. The
score was tied 24 all, when top IDC spiker Melchor Casiple made the
decisive point orchestrated by setter Ian Gallofin. Another
Negros error ended the game at 26-24. In the third set,
Negros experimented with some creative plays. They led most
of the time until Iloilo equalized at 24 all. Neither side
gave an inch bringing the score to 25 all, then 26 all. The
atmosphere was so tense.
Team IDC-Iloilo showed why they are
the true champions. Negros tried but could not stop Iloilo's
well executed plays. The powerful spike by Melchor hit the
Negros blockers bringing the ball out and ending the game at
28-26. Team Iloilo jumped with joy and glowed with pride,
while the humbled Negros- La Salle team calmly accepted the
result. Top spikers for Iloilo were Melchor Casiple and
Remond Baldevarona who finished with 27 and 33 kills
respectively.
The members of the team:
Remond Baldevarona, A., Ronnie Belleza, -.
Casipe, Melchor Jr V., Gallofin, Christian Ray C., Hugo, Christian
-., Labuyo, Jason, Pinuela, Pablo Q., Sevilleja, Ricardo, 11. Lim,
Darryl. Coach- Stephen Patrona,
Asst. Coach - Janley Patrona
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