Central Visayas cruises past Calabarzon, bags gold in elementary girls volleyball

LAGUNA, Philippines – The elementary girls volleyball team of Central Visayas improved their silver medal finish in 2013 to a shining gold medal as they sent back hosts Calabarzon in straight sets, 25-14 and 25-19, in the 2014 edition of the Palarong Pambansa on Saturday, May 10 at the Main Gymnasium in the Laguna Sports Complex. 

Playing with much intensity, both squads battled tooth and nail from the get go even as Central Visayas began pulling away late in the first canto. 

Central Visayas had some difficulty closing out the first set but by the second set they shut the door on a highly emotional Calabarzon squad, whom were buoyed by hometown support. 

Central Visayas has been a contender for elementary girls volleyball for the past decade and is looking to continue the trend at next year’s Palaro. 

Meanwhile, the promising young volleybelles of Calabarzon could not hold back their tears and were still sobbing well after the match ended. Although clearly disappointed by the loss, they are still grateful for their silver medal. 

“Talagang pinaghandaan ng mga bata yung game kaya lang hindi para sa kanila,” remarked Calabarzon head coach Maureen Villanueva, who was also consoling her heartbroken players. “Talagang umasa yung mga bata na makukuha namin.”  

(The kids really prepared for this game but it wasn’t meant for them. They truly believed they would win the championship.) – Rappler.com