Nick Clarence Gallego
Region XI

After bagging the first win against MIMAROPA, Davao Eagles proved their prowess again as they edged out Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) 30-28, 25-15 in the preliminaries of the 2019 Palarong Pambansa Volleyball–Boys held at the UP Mindanao Sports Complex, Davao City on April 29.

Due to an unexpected injury of Davao’s outside hitter Coby Miranda, the Eagles were forced to change their game plan and the format of their gameplay.

CAR opened the first set with a point, defying the cheers and yells of the overwhelming crowd.

With the intensity of the game at its peak, CAR managed to have a four-point lead early in the game, 4-1. However, the Eagles’ team captain, Lourdz Magno, took the lead and tied the game, 11-11.

As the latter part of the first set became a cycle of errors and deuces, No. 18 Dimalanta of the host team broke the tie with a powerful spike, taking the team to the lead, 21-20.

Using their defense as an advantage, Davao City native Leo Aringo led the defensive setup of the team. Denying every spike and attacks of the opposing team, the Eagles closed the gap and tied the game, 24-24.

Cordillera, on the other side, still trailed and closed every advantage the Eagles were giving them; however, the unforced errors of each player became the biggest burden of the team.

Villarte, Davao Region’s libero, defends the ball from their opponent, Cordillera Administrative Region. Photo by Andrea Georgia Villegas

Looking to close the first set with the advantage, No. 7 Yambao took the lead as he streaked two consecutive aces, breaking the deuce and winning the first set of the game, 30-28.

Emerging in the second set, the stars from the Cordillera managed to land the first point but the dominance set by the Eagles continued up to the second set of the game.

Using their aggressive defense as their lead, the Eagles rallied a six-point run leaving the opposing team trailing, 19-13.

The Eagles finished the game with a 10-point advantage, 25-15.

“Communication is the key,” Jesus Manaopanao, volleyball–boys’ coach, said during an interview. “It’s our play and our defense that made it possible for us to win,” he added.

“We just helped each other to think clearly when we are inside the court. We just played as a team,” Lourdz Magno, Davao Region volleyball–boys’ team captain said in Bisaya.

Due to this victorious feat, Davao Region’s standing moved to two wins and zero losses.

END