LA PAZ National High School clinched the crown in the Victor C. Plagata Cup Season 14 secondary girls volleyball after beating Central Philippine University Golden Lions, 25-19, 25-20, 22-25, 21-25, 15-6 at the Bingawan Civic Center in Bingawan, Iloilo.
Led by MVP awardee Lara Mae Silva, 1st Best Middle Blocker Trisha Dequilla and Best Setter Princess Zyne Tumayao, La Paz National High turned back the gutsy rally by Golden Lions to complete its dominant run in the tournament.
La Paz National High immediately imposed its presence in the first two sets behind Silva and Dequilla but the Golden Lions managed to fight back by taking the next three sets.
La Paz National High, however, was just too much in the fifth set as it banked on its experience to build an early lead on the rebuilding Golden Lions before thwarting their opponent’s late run.
Also part of the Jiggy Gallo-mentored La Paz were Elizza Ann Alimen, Rica Mae Cosio, Cathlyn Mitch Nogales, Mary Karylle Suplico, Jhona Yee, Niña Beatrice Maluto, Anne Grace Gabinete, Kristel Lacaran and Leanne Claire Borja.
On their way to the championship round, La Paz National High defeated Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion, while the Golden Lions eliminated Livingstones International School-Bacolod.
La Paz National High also had a perfect run in the elimination round as it defeated Golden Lions and La Purisima to earn an outright semifinals seat.
Meanwhile, Central Philippine University Golden Lions emerged as the champions in the men’s open category after beating Pavia selection.
The volleyball event is a regular fixture in Bingawan, Iloilo every May since 2005. It portrays the love and passion of the people for the game of volleyball./PN
