MLSDF reaches Maasin volleyball finals

The M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF) All-Stars courageously recovered from a first set drawback to fend off the gritty Tacloban City Volleyball Club (TCVC), 2-1, and gain outright entry into the finals of the 7th Maasin City Charter Day Open and Invitational Volleyball Tournament at the Maasin City Gym.

Powered by former RP Team players Michelle Laborte and Michelle Carolino, the Tacloban belles stunned the Cebuano visitors in the opening session 25-17.

The MLSDF All-Stars, however, did not wilt under the tremendous pressure mounted by the hard-fighting Tacloban spikers. And egged on by the cheers of MLSDF executive director Eddie B. Ybañez, they fought with a renewed challenge to get even in the second set, 26-24, and forge a rubbermatch.

Behind the aggressive attacks and nice defensive stops of Kennette Garces, Mechelle Matuguina, Joren Sanchez, Jusabelle Brillo, Janez Armie Igot, and Kimberly Gendrauli, the MLSDF All-Stars finished off Tacloban, 25-22, to advance into the championship.

The MLSDF All-Stars are armed with a twice-to-beat incentive in the final battle against the winner of the knockout semifinal match between TCVC and Maasin City selection.

The champion in the three-day contest bankrolled by the Maasin City Sports Commission led by Mayor Maloney L. Samaco as part also of Maasin’s annual fiesta celebration will take home P15,000.

The second and third will pocket P10,000 and P7,000, while the fourth will receive a consolation prize of P2,000. — EBV