By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
In line with the JB Amateur Basketball League (JB ABL), founder and commissioner Jayphet Balbacal also had a successful opening of its counterpart, the JB Amateur Volleyball League (JB AVA) held at the University of San Agustin open gym.
Established to help boost the Ilonggo volleyball scene after the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Balbacal and his volleyball committee decided to launch a one-day JB AVA “School Wars” event divided into two categories.
The JB AVA volleyball tourney featured the men’s and women’s categories with a total of eight competing teams.
Under the men’s category, the Central Philippine University (CPU) Golden Lions, Western Institute of Technology (WIT) Tangerine, Iloilo Doctor’s College Medics, and the University of San Agustin (USA) Golden Eagles graced the debuting local league.
Meanwhile, in the women’s category, teams that pledged their participation were Lapaz National High School (LPNHS), WIT Tangerine, USA Golden Eagles, and the IDC Medics.
It was an action-packed one-day league as all participants gave their all but only two teams took home the championship titles.
For the men’s category, the dominant USA Golden Eagles won the championship title after sweeping the Medics, 25-18, 27-25, 27-25.
James Galusong’s all-around performance of 17 excellent sets, four successful attacks, and three service aces led USA to the crown and was enough to crown him as the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
In the women’s category, the tough and resilient youngsters from LPNHS showed heart and were the showstoppers after trouncing the more-experienced USA squad in four thrilling sets.
LPNHS won the hearts of the crowd and went on to finish the match 25-18, 25-23, 24-26, 25-20, with Cathleen Jaena crowned as the MVP with 13 successful attacks and two aces.
“Gusto ko mag pa thank you kay Niel John Dumalag, Verdin Paul Deocampo, kag Izrah Hernando for helping me pull off this brave attempt of organizing a volleyball tournament. My congratulations sa tanan nga winners and tani naging help kami nga JB AVA sa inyo volleyball enthusiasts,” Balbacal said during an exclusive interview with the Daily Guardian.
