STO. DOMINGO, Ilocos Sur — National Capital Region (NCR) reclaimed the secondary girls volleyball title by beating last year’s champion Calabarzon, 12-25, 25-12, 25-18, 17-25, 15-12, on Friday.
Angel Canino of De La Salle Zobel capped an MVP performance by scoring the final point in the fiercely contested five-setter at the Barangay Poblacion Gym-Sto. Domingo.
Canino shattered the game's final deadlock at 12-12 with a winner before Lucille Almonte put NCR at championship point. After a bad receive by Calabarzon, Canino finished the match with a power hit.
NCR coach Rogelio ‘Onyok’ Getigan savored redemption after a disappointing end to last year’s Palaro volleyball final in Antique where his team wasted a two-set lead.
“Nandoon pa rin ‘yung mga nakalaban namin last year. Last year, nauna kami ng dalawang set tapos natalo pa. Bawing bawi,” said Getigan, who also celebrated his 38th birthday on Friday.
NCR atoned for a shaky first set by winning the second and third sets thanks to the offense of Canino, Louie Romero, and Rizza Cruz.
Led by Alleiah Malaluan and Trisha Genesis, Calabarzon started with a 14-6 lead in the fourth to force a fifth and final set.
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