MARIANAS High School won the boys high school division championship of the PSS-NMIVA Interscholastic Volleyball League after gunning down Agape Christian School, 21-16, 21-10, at the MHS gym on Saturday.
Thanks to their teamwork, the favored MHS team outshined the strong defense of ACS.
MHS team captain Jerome Manzon used each of his teammate’s strengths to protect their end of the court while staying aggressive to maintain momentum.
Team mates Dylan Mister, William Arriola, John Justo and Lowell Lumauag highlighted the first half with well-timed blocks and spike finishes to grasp the upper hand.
ACS gave it their all with defense as their main asset. Caleb Cui, Yutian Luo, Tianwei Li, and Shengjie Zhao showcased their quick reactions to keep the ball in the air and answered with fast and powerful spikes to throw MHS off guard.
However, it was MHS that reigned supreme in the first set which they won, 21-16.
MHS played more aggressively in the second set led by Manzon’s diving saves and action near the net to seize a six-point lead.
ACS continued to put up a fight but their play was marred with miscommunication and errors even as MHS extended their control with back-to-back finishes to secure the second set and the match with ease, 21-10.
MHS coach Don Cabrera shared a few words about his team after their victory. “I’m very proud of them,” he said. “They’ve exceeded expectations. I know they’ve been playing volleyball all year long. They have been working hard for it.”
Cabrera added, “I think we brought more firepower compared to last year along with more consistency. Though we started slow, we gathered and earned these victories.”
Three seniors who are vital to the team — Dylan Mister, John Justo and William Arriola — are leaving, but Cabrera said there are a lot of underclassmen eager and ready to rise to the challenge.
As for ACS, Cabrera believes that they will remain a strong team. “From the beginning of the season, I knew it was going to be ACS in the finals. The toughest part about playing ACS is their defense on the net along with their discipline,” he said.
MHS team captain Jerome Manzon also shared his thoughts on the overall performance of his team. “I feel great this season; this is the strongest batch we have had. An undefeated, perfect season gives us more confidence next year,” he said.
“Our strategy was to utilize each of our players. If we can stay positive on the court, we can bounce back from every error made,” he added.
The 16-year-old sophomore believes they have created a great foundation for the next season despite losing three vital players.
Marianas High School celebrates after winning the championship in the boys high school division of the PSS-NMIVA Interscholastic Volleyball League at the MHS gym on Saturday.
Agape Christian School players pose with the second-place trophy in the boys high school division of the PSS-NMIVA Interscholastic Volleyball League at the MHS gym on Saturday.
Two Agape Christian School defenders reach out to block a spike unleashed by Marianas High School’s Manzon during the championship match in the boys high school division of the PSS-NMIVA Interscholastic Volleyball League at the MHS gym on Saturday.
Marianas High School’s Arriola connects the spike against Agape Christian School in the boys high school division championship of the PSS-NMIVA Interscholastic Volleyball League at the MHS gym on Saturday.
