LIVING Stones International School claimed the girls and boys championship in the St. John the Baptist Parish 2nd Volleyfest held over the weekend in Bago City, Negros Occidental.
Living Stones, which finished runner-up in last year’s edition, captured the U-18 girls championship following a straight-set victory over St. John’s Institute in the gold medal match.
Living Stones’ Krisha Cordero was hailed the tournament MVP, while also cited were her teammates Kristin Umbao (best setter), Aya Garovillo (best open hitter), LJ Mejorada (best opposite hitter), and Shanine Pretta (best middle blocker).
“I am glad to be able to help my team improve from our runner-up finish last year,” Cordero told Buzzer Beater. “Also, this is my final year with the team so I want to help them win as many tournaments as possible.”
Living Stones, meanwhile, scored a 1-2 finish in the 18 and Under boys category with its Team A defeating its Team B in the gold medal match.
Hailed as MVP was Patrick John Dama, while also cited were Kristoffer John Salvatierra (best setter), Jian Matthew Salarzon (best open hitter), Laurence Alaban (best opposite hitter), Onex Praico (best server), Jerrymar Estardo (best middle blocker), and Kade Parreño (best libero).
***
The Tchoukball Association of the Philippines (TAP) finally got the nod as one of the Philippines’ newly recognized National Sports Associations (NSAs) under the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
The TAP joined three other NSAs – World Sikaran Brotherhood of the Philippines, Philippine Floorball Association, and United Philippine Surfing Association – as new members of the POC.
TAP president Raymund Jamelo said it is a great honor to be finally recognized by the country’s highest sport body after four years of waiting.
“We in TAP consider this as God’s gift to our leaders and young athletes. Now a member of the POC family, we can be assured of its full support in terms of growing tchoukball all over the country and develop athletes that can bring honor to our homeland,” Jamelo said.
Jamelo added that he sees tchoukball as a key that will open doors of opportunities in achieving their vision and mission. This coming Palarong Panlalawigan, Jamelo said that they are expecting to bring tchoukball as one of the demonstrations sports.
“POC recognition gives us the confidence to push for our projects knowing they believed on TAP’s core values. POC is a “big brother” to us,” Jamelo said.
“We are looking forward to present the sport in the upcoming Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet in Capiz and the Palarong Pambansa in Davao next year,” he added./PN
