Tigers sweep Eagles, bag back-to-back men’s volleyball title

By Reyjean Marie S. Bacud

The ArtScies Tigers manage to defend their title after crushing the SBM Eagles in a 25-19, 25-23, 25-22 sweep in the men’s volleyball championship match held at the University Gymnasium on March 3.

Utility spiker and setter Al Bernard Rabanes tallied a total of 15 points in 12 attacks, two blocks, and an ace to fuel the solid net defense. His tactics propelled the Tigers in their successful campaign for two consecutive golds.

Tigers’ outside spiker Ian Urbina registered four of his 12 points in the latter part of the third set. This allowed middle blocker Jack Enriquez to strike the final point through a kill block, denying the Eagles’ chances to mount a comeback, 25-22.

In the second set, the Eagles were not easily deterred as they came out with renewed energy tallying a 4-0 run off the opponent’s error. They maintained their composure to secure a five-point lead halfway through the set, 17-12.

But the gritty Tigers shifted the momentum as their leading scorer Rabanes went for crosscourt attacks. Trying to regain their momentum, the Eagles struggled mightily due to successive errors, giving room for the Tigers to quickly finish the set with a two-point lead, 25-23.

Countless errors were produced at the beginning of the match by both teams. However, the Tigers were first to overcome the championship game jitters, producing a six-point advantage, 2522.

For the Tigers, winning the championships was not an easy journey. It took them extensive training to condition them physically and emotionally in preparation of the intramurals. “Leading our college in this back-to-back is an honor and a privilege for me,” finals match best player of the game Rabanes shared.

The win drove the Tigers to snatch the coveted gold medal with the Eagles securing the silver medal. The Eng’g Warriors settled for bronze after a default win against the Aggie Bulls.C