By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
TANAPAG Middle School continues to climb the ladder in the boys’ middle school division of the PSS-NMIVA Interscholastic Volleyball League for SY25-26 after securing a decisive victory over Saipan Community School in a three-set thriller at the Marianas High School gym on Tuesday.
From the opening serve, TMS established a rhythm that SCS struggled to break. The Tanapag frontline, led by Omar Ibarola, Deon Sablan, Kayden Lizama, and Pryce Cadag, was relentless at the net. SCS did their best to close the gap but could not muster enough strength, as TMS utilized a series of tactical serves and powerful spike finishes to capture the first set, 21-12.
The second set saw a more spirited effort from SCS, whose consistency and aggressive play brought TMS to their knees. The offensive push, highlighted by Lennox Sablan, Kaevene Punzalan, and Jesus Villagomez, was too much to overcome, as SCS ran away with a 21-19 victory, forcing a third and final set.
Despite SCS’ efforts, their time in the spotlight was short-lived. TMS regained momentum through pep talks and tactical adjustments. With players like JonJon San Nicholas anchoring the backcourt, the rest of the frontline executed precise sets that allowed their hitters to find gaps in SCS’ defense. Tanapag eventually closed out the match with a 15-8 win in the third set, sealing the game for their third victory of the season.
The victory was a collective effort from the entire TMS varsity roster. Under the guidance of Head Coach Jave Sablan and Assistant Coaches Adam and James Salalila, the team has developed into a cohesive unit that balances size and speed.
Other games
Joining the winner’s circle were Hopwood Middle School over Dandan Middle School, 21-13, 21-8; Dandan Middle School II defeating Chacha Ocean View Middle School II, 21-16, 17-21, 15-8; and HOP II edging TMS II, 17-21, 21-13, 16-14.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
