Sablan hopes to complete a double whammy as it seeks to extend its winning ways in the Rep. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup Women’s Volleyball Championship starting October 13.
With already a stacked-up line-up, Sablan, which was undefeated in the elimination round of the Gov. Melchor Diclas Volleyball Tournament champion, adds up Jasmynne Joyce Polon, the Baguio Benguet Educational Athletic League top attacker from the Baguio College of Technology.
Polon, a Sablan native, hopes to bring her firepower to the team, and win another crown for the town. Despite losing Maricar Pilay to Tublay,
Sablan is expected to lean on team captain Hannah Mhae Dumpit and Anna Mae Laruan, one of the eight players from the Cordillera Career Development College to play in the inaugural volleyball tournament under the congressman.
“They are surely a strong team and has become stronger with the addition of Polon,” said Pilay, who nearly failed to play in the Cong Yap Cup after an injury scare at the end of the previous tournament.
Pilay, also a former CCDC Lady Admiral, however, said that they could yet pull a surprise on her former team. “We will just see,” said Pilay, who now works at the Tublay mayor’s office which she had been employed recently.
Her mother is from Tublay. Another Lady Admiral, Ereich Dangbis is expected to give Pilay the boost in their quest. But it will be Kapangan that is expected to give Sablan a run for its money.
Kapangan was the only team that dealt Sablan a defeat in the last tournament, a three set victory on game one of the finals despite the absence of top server and most valuable player Dezsaera Mae Monang, who injured her right leg at the end of the eliminations.
But Edralyn Mangantulao and libero Phoebe Aludos stepped up to extend the finals to a second game which Sablan won and the tournament. With Lady Admirals Crisha Pagcial and Roselyn Suhat,
Kapangan is expected to be even better with Danilo Eduardo calling the shots for the hometown of World War II hero Bado Dangwa. In a letter sent by Dumpit, also the coach and sports assistant of CCDC, to the organizing committee said that Mankayan has two of their players in the line-up, namely, Marlyn Julian and Sandrine Collado.
Itogon hopes to chase for the title with Lhyraine Rhuizze Barrientos in its fold. The team could be even stronger with former University of the Cordilleras Lady Jaguar Rhynae Arances suiting up.
Atok will have Amhory Vlla Paoad to fortify its quest for at least a quarterfinals appearance.
La Trinidad will also have a former Saint Louis University setter in Shirley Balantac. Opening ceremonies for the basketball and volleyball tournament will be on October 12 with games in basketball to start immediately after.
While games in basketball ends late December, volleyball games are expected to be over by late February. (CEGYCC release)
