05/09/2025
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐: ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ฒ๐๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ก๐๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐
๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฒ๐ฌ 12-25, 22-25, 25-21, 20-25
TABON, BISLIG CITY โ Geared for the final game, Kabunyan overcame Amihan in a stunning 3-1 during the TMENHS Sports Fest Volleyball Boys Category at Plaza Central Open Court on September 5, 2025.
Despite the win, The Kabunyansโ star player Piotr Cy Simagala stated, โI felt it was 50-50 since the other team has strong players, all varsityโ.
The yellow team started off strong, consistent attacks from Simagala blasted through Amihanโs weak floor defense, who didnโt back down as they shot timed attacks into the yellow court.
The heightened atmosphere shook both teams out of their focus nearing the end of the first set, low-precision attacks and missed digs came from both ends, but the frequent errors committed by Amihan widened the gap to 12-21, followed by another rally and finished off by a smash from Simagala.
The second set had a slow start, the shaken rhythm from the first set remaining as both teams committed serve errors until they were tied 6-6.
Reflecting on the first set, Amihan tightened their floor defense and used strategic feints to catch the yellow team off guard.
Long rallies and back-to-back service aces from both yellow and blue kept the score gap and the suspension tight, where Kabunyan was much calmer compared to the former set, but Amihan remained tense.
Taking advantage of that turmoil at 22-24, the yellow team seized their second set.
Kabunyan had a two-point lead by the third set thanks to their decisive offense, answered by increased tenacity on the blue side, tying them as early as 3-3.
The tie refused to break, one-point gaps immediately closed after they appeared until they were on 14-14, where Amihan continued to attack and bite back, until they grasped their first set of the game at 25-21.
It was either victory for the yellow team, or another set to be played.
The Kabunyans started off with a three-point lead, moving their attacks from the outer court to the inner court which flustered the blue team.
On a roll, The Kabunyans freed themselves from the suffocating tie and widened the gap to 9-14 with strategic feints and consistent service aces. Along with the change of position, the powerful serves from Kabunyan surprised the blue team as they were unable to respond.
Collecting themselves, Amihan tightened their defense and closed the score to a five-point gap, 14-19.
Kabunyan was just as eager to keep their advantage, stretching it back to 15-22.
Fighting through the longest rallies in the game and both teamsโ playstyle increasing in aggression, one final smash by the yellow team sealed the set at 20-25.
โThe key to our teamโs success was teamwork and communicationโ Simagala stated.
Written by: Niรฑa Angelica T. Baptisma
Photos by: Mary Jane B. Maputol & Alexa Kyle A. Dollete
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