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PATTS spiker Geisehler Panaligan (L) fires a hit against the Treston triple-block coverage in this piece of ISAA volleyball action on Wednesday. ISAA Facebook page |
By Ricky Manliguis
PATTS College of Aeronautics and Philippine Women’s
University set up a mouth-watering showdown for the Inter-Scholastic Athletic
Association (ISAA) men’s volleyball crown after dispatching their respective
semifinal opponents Wednesday at the PATTS gym in Parañaque City.
The top-seeded hosts Seahorses wasted no time in overpowering the fourth-ranked Treston Golden Lions in straight sets, 25-15, 25-16, 25-22, to earn a return trip to the best-of-three finals which starts Monday.
Setter Ivan Climaco was the engine behind the PATTS onslaught throughout the game, setting up his trigger-happy teammates led by Geisehler Panaligan, which earned him the Best Player of the Game honors.
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| PWU stalwart Ken Emman Ikalina prepares to unleash a hit against the WCC Skyhawks. ISAA Facebook page |
PWU then proceeded to fan the upset clause of the WCC-ATC Skyhawks
before carving out a 25-15, 25-20, 25-27, 25-12 success to keep its title-retention
bid alive.
The Patriots went on a tear for a 2-0 set
advantage only for WCC to mount a spirited rally in the third and force a fourth
frame.
But the boys of Coach Belford Mabunga responded from thereon,
taking advantage of the endgame brilliance of Ken Emman Ikalina and Rammel
Valenciano plus WCC’s rash of errors for the win.
In their only elimination game meeting on opening day, PATTS
recovered from a tentative first set to turn the tables against PWU, 19-25,
25-18, 25-19, 25-12.
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Christine Joy Apan (C) was a force on both ends of the floor as Immaculada Concepcion College is now in the women's volleyball finals. ISAA Facebook page |
On the women’s side, Immaculada Concepcion College already
booked a slot in the championship round, picking #4 WCC- ATC apart in their
25-14, 25-16, 25-10 win in the first game of the day.
The Lady Hawks of Coach Edgar Barroga hardly broke a sweat against
the Lady Skyhawks, led by the attacking power of Player of the Game Christine
Joy Apan enough to extend its unbeaten run to seven games stretching the
eliminations.
Their final opponents, however, will have to be determined
after third-seed La Consolacion College- Manila broke the twice-to-beat
advantage of ICCT Colleges with a convincing 25-11, 25-13, 25-23 victory in the
other semis showdown.
The Lady Royals banked on their crisp service game and the steady performances from their usual suspects Kaira Artates and Akisha Saberon to force a do-or-die game on Friday at their home floor.
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La Consolacion-Manila star Akisha Saberon was in her element yet again for the Lady Royals in their semis outing with ICCT Colleges. ISAA Facebook page |
The Mendiola-based squad also prevented the Lady Blue
Dragons from staging another monumental comeback similar to the latter’s
five-set win in the elimination round which went the distance.
ICCT played without their talisman Richelle Opinga, who sat
out the game due to a left heel injury she suffered during practice. They also
allowed LCCM to fire a game-best 10 service aces.
Game 1 is slated on Monday, January 22, still at the PATTS
gym. Game 2 of the finals, as well as the battle for third place, will be
played on January 24.
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