It’s Rebisco Volleyball League National Finals time once again! The top
girls' volleyball teams from around the country and four foreign guest teams compete
to determine the best. That said, five teams are off to a good start in this
week-long tournament.
3BB Nakornnont dominates University of San Jose Recoletos
The guest squad from Thailand broke the RVL 2019 ice by imposing their
will over the Central Visayas champions University of San Jose Recoletos. The
Thais blasted their way to an 8-2 advantage before the first technical timeout,
and their lead grew to 16-7 by the second TTO of the opening frame. A kill
block brought 3BB Nakornnont to set point, and an attack by Donphon Sinpho
ended the first set at 25-13.
From a 3-3 tie, Coach Thanakit Inleang’s troops initiated a 5-0 run and
never looked back. Their lead grew to as high as seven points, 12-5, but USJR
came to within three, 23-20. A soft tip by Sirikanda Wongsopha gave the Thais
match point while Wimonrat Thanapan ended the frame and the match at 25-20.
Sinpho and Aonanong Saisri led 3BB Nakornnont with eight points each. Louneth
Marie Abangan led USJR with seven markers.
Bacolod Tay Tung trumps Iligan City National High School
The Western Visayas champions must have been inspired by 3BB’s
performance that they followed the script against the Northern Mindanao
titlists Iligan City National High School. Alyssa Bertolano’s six aces in set
one helped the Thunderbolts establish a 16-4 advantage. The margin grew to 14
points, 20-6, and a service error by Althea Carbahal gave Tay Tung the set,
25-14.
Set two was a repeat of the first as Tay Tung mounted a 16-7 advantage
en route to their first victory in the RVL 2019 National Finals. A missed hit
on ICS gave Tay Tung set point and Rhean Almendralejo’s quick strike off an over reception ended the contest at 25-9. Bertolano led BTT with 10 points while Kylie Ann
Lacio paced ICS with four.
Adamson University triumphs over First City Providential College
In a contest between two Luzon regional champions, the National Capital
Region champions stamped their dominance against their Northern Luzon
Counterparts. The first and second sets ended at 25-8 and 25-15, respectively,
for the UAAP Season 82 girls volleyball runner-up. Kate Santiago, May Ann
Nuique, and Aprylle Tagsip led the Lady Falcons to victory number one.
Team Aloha Region edges University of Mindanao Tagum College
In the first three-setter of the Rebisco Volleyball League 2019
National Finals, the ladies from Hawaii outlasted the Southern Mindanao
champions University of Mindanao Tagum College in three sets. All sets had a
25-23 scoreline with sets one and three going to the Americans. The Hawaiians
had a 24-20 edge in the first set but UMTC scored three straight points to trim
the deficit to one. Unfortunately, a double contact violation gave the set to
Team Aloha.
The ladies from Davao del Norte bounced back in set two by scoring two
straight points from a 23-23 tie. Team Hawaii started strong in the third set
with an 8-4 edge. However, UMTC fought back by slashing the margin to two, 13-11,
before tying the count at 18. Both teams fought until a 23-23 deadlock until
Gennezia Hawkins, the only player left from last year’s silver medal squad, connected
on two straight attacks to seal the victory for Team Aloha Region.
Rebecca Sakoda and Bryanne Soares scored 12 and 10 points,
respectively, for the Hawaiians. Jonna Perdido paced UMTC with ten markers while
Vianmay Capillanes made six.
California Academy outclassed Team Australia
Despite the height disadvantage, Southern Luzon champions California Academy bested Team Australia. The squad from Antipolo City, Rizal used their speed and polished attack to keep the Australians at bay, 25-18 and 25-19. Shaina Marie Nitura led California Academy with seven points while Jelaica Gajero added five. Caitlin Whincup led the Australians with six points while Kirsty Gordon made five.