A solid first set win and unwavering stance in the next two sets gave St. John’s Institute High School Varsity team the crown against the combined force of Batch 70s/80s in the 1st SJI Volleybelles Friendship Cup at the SJI Activity Center.

Keeping their focus despite unceasing hits from 70s/80s, the Peter Yusay-mentored Varsity squad asserted its supremacy in three straight sets, 25-17, 25-23, 25-23.

The conquest, however, did not come easy as the Varsity volleybelles have to dig deep into their bag of tricks to come from behind in the second and third set to outscore the 70s/80s.

Flashing the skills that earned them several championships during their prime, 70s/80s outhit their younger opponents in the first set but failed to stop the combined eight service aces from Varsity members Kathleen Tan, Maria Isabelle Juson and Rosel Sy.

In the second set, Varsity once again cruised to an early lead but 70s/80s remained within striking distance.

A tip in by Tan gave the Varsity a 22-21 lead but two spiking errors in the ensuing play put the 70s/80s in the driver’s seat. A hit by Juson and spiking errors on 70s/80s’ side sealed the second set win for the Varsity.

Varsity’s attack mode resulted to 14 hits courtesy of Tan, Juson, and Kim Gequillana, who also nailed three service aces.

Liza Calangan, Mercedita Po, and Rose  Araneta combined for 6 points for 70s/80s. 

The Varsity had a poor start in the third set, lagging behind at 12-7 as 70s/80s registered better service winners and attacks.

In mid-game, poor service reception and errors allowed the Varsity team to catch up at 13-12 but Po and Calangan’s service aces and spike were delivered in time to give the lead back to 70s/80s at 18-13.

Undaunted by the five-point deficit, Samantha Araneta started setting up for Gequillana while Tan launched strong attacks to the net to cut the lead at 17-18.

Although the momentum was slowly shifting to the Varsity side, the 70s/80s remained adamant. A hit by Jessica Plana and a service ace by Hera Mirano put them back on top at 17-20.

Not to be outdone, Samantha Araneta tip-in the ball for another Varsity point and a costly error on 70s/80s’ side made it 19-20. Another Plana spike and Rose Araneta’s return gave 70s/80s its last taste of the lead at 23-20 lead.

Going for the win, Gequillana, Tan and Juson pooled their efforts for the five-point rally that sealed the championship for the Varsity.

Tan paced the champion team with 11 hits, 5 service aces and 4 blocks while Gequillana produced 8 hits and 5 service winners. Juson had 5 hits and 3 points and Nadine Severino added 5 points.

The Sharon Gayanelo-coached 70s/80s was led by Plana with 7 hits and 4 service aces and Calangan with 6 points.

Meanwhile, 90s/Aspirants outplayed 2006-09 to win the battle for third place.

Alice Penuela led the charge of the 90s/Aspirants with 10 service aces and 3 points while Jhonna Rogacion added 8 hits and 5 service aces. Pia Rio had contributed 8 service aces and 4 points while Katrina Lacson had 6 service aces, 3 points and 2 hits.

Terry Sepe paced 2006-09 with 6 hits and 5 points.*

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