Pajo thwarts USPF for first title

Cebu - After three years of trying, Pajo National High School (PNHS) finally won a championship, after beating the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF).

The Fr. T. Manayon-mentored Pajo National High School, bundled out USPF in four nerve-rattling sets 25-17, 25-20, 14-25 and 25-21 at the USPF gym yesterday, thwarting the latter’s bid for a grandslam.

By winning the championship, Team Pajo will represent Cebu in Shakey’s Volleyball League for Girls National Finals on April 14-18 in Bacolod City.

Team Pajo started hot and took the first two sets courtesy of tournament MVP Methosheena Bate, Athena Sucalit, Catherine Marquez, Mary Jane Cortes, Cristy Sucalit, and Lovely Marie Murillo.

USPF then bounced back and took the third set behind team captain Dianne Navaja, Cyd Demecillo, Jessah Nacorda, Jinky Garidos, Kaisse delos Santos and the Gabriel sisters, Rexamy and Louise.

Buoyed by the win, USPF continued its run in the fourth set and were leading, 16-13. Pajo, however, racked up seven consecutive points behind the brilliant game of Lovely Marie Murillo, to regain the lead 20-16.

USPF tried in vain to fight back but the pressure took the better of them as they committed costly communication and service errors in the late stages of the fourth set.

“Yes, after three years of being in the first runner-up slot, we finally got the title for the first time. I just told the girls to relax because I believe they already have the ability and it’s a matter of execution. We also have the stamina because, we practiced everyday,” said winning coach Fr. Rey Manayon.

Most of the Team Pajo’s players were fresh from their winning stint in the recently Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball Cup for Women (GUV Cup) as Team Catmon in the municipal cluster.

Meanwhile, Abellana National School (ANS) took third place after defeating Don Gerardo Ouano Memorial National High School (DGOMNHS) 23-25, 25-9 and 25-13.

 Aside from Bate as MVP, other players from Pajo made it to the Mythical Six, including Lovely Marie Murillo (Best Server), and Athena Sucalit (Best Receiver). USPF players who made to the selection were Dianne Navaja (Best Attacker), Jessah Nacorda (Best Setter), Cyd Demecillo (Best Blocker) and Louise Gabriel (Best Libero).

The 4th Shakeys Girls Volleyball League is supported by Shakey’s, the Philippine Sports Commission, Asics, Dunkin Donuts, Petron, Toby’s and Nature Spring. – THE FREEMAN