DCCAA: Lady Patriots seize title in league debut, Patriot Spikers relive last season’s stint with silver
Fate branched out different paths for the Patriot volleyball teams in their recent league.
As both were gunning for the crown of the 2024 Dasmariñas City Collegiate Athletic Association (DCCAA), it was only the Lady Patriots—who debuted in the league this year—that successfully weathered the final leg against the former finalists from last year’s pilot season, Philippine Christian University – Dasmariñas (PCU-D), last December 2 at the De La Salle Medical Health Sciences Institute (DLSMHSI) Animo Center.
Meanwhile, the Patriot Spikers tasted another bitter end as history repeated itself when they faltered to the finals thriller against the same Dolphins of the PCU-D, who were also their opponent during the last 2023 DCCAA showdown.
Serving a fierce prowess as ultimatum
Banking on the balance of searing attacks and firm floor defense, the Lady Patriots cruised to a one-way victory for the crown after a 3-0 sweep against the Lady Dolphins.
Starting off strong, the vigor and pride of the green-and-white clamped down a comfortable lead with a 6-0 blitz, fueled by finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Janella Sabado who amassed nine points within the early moments of the first set, 25-14.
Amping the momentum from their dominating performance in the opener frame, the Lady Patriots continued to nail down attacks on the PCU-D’s court, but their error-prone plays helped the Lady Dolphins to stage a deadlock at a crucial 24-24. With deuce intensifying the match, a clean hit from Sabado delivered the shot needed by the Patriots to claim the set win, 26-24.
The Lady Dolphins tried to surge a comeback in the middle of the last set, capitalizing on the continuous faulty plays of the Lady Patriots, but the latter got their groove back and struck down coordinated attacks that eventually led them to their gold.
Several Lady Patriots were hailed for special accolades in this year’s season, namely Sabado as First Best Outside Hitter, Shaira Pemero as First Best Middle Blocker, Mary Anne Adia as Best Setter, and Maria Aure as Best Libero.
“Naging memorable kasi unang sabak namin, nag-champion [agad] kami, and sa 3-0 na ‘yan, parang naipakita namin kung ano talaga ‘yung tine-train namin,’ said Team Captain Abigail Ragual.
An unwanted déjà vu
The DCCAA title remains elusive for the Patriot Spikers after they falter once more to the hands of the defending champions PCU-D Dolphins with a hard fought 1-3 standing.
Despite notching a 25-20 win in the first set as their cushion, errors fanned the flame for the Patriots’ demise that the Dolphins used to push a gritty point-exchange, eventually also edging past the green defenses to nab a set win, 23-25.
As pressure closed in, the neck-to-neck affair between the challengers and the title holders intensified into deuce. The Patriots held small leads from time-to-time but the deft offensive sleights of the Dolphins proved to be too overwhelming as they ended the third and last frame with 24-26 and 25-27 set scores.
The tight-knit match was a testament to the Patriots’ resolve to win, and some players were also recognized for their brilliant performance throughout the season namely Popoy Alabin as First Best Outside Hitter and Renz Cruz as Second Best Middle Blocker.
***
Several leagues are slated for the teams as they gear up for the annual Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) in both the provincial, regional, and national stint.
