LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – That is eight and 0 for Sablan after another demolition of another strong team Sunday at the Benguet Sports Complex in the Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup – Benguet Women’s Volleyball League.
Jasmyne Joyce Polon combined anew with her most reliable partner in Sheryl Estal and Abigail Cunanan for a 25-15, 25-19, 25-18 demolition of Itogon on a day the latter welcomed back two of its injured players.
The encounter, one of the highlights of the very busy Sunday schedule, saw Polon even changed position with Cunanan with the latter hitting like there is no tomorrow middle of the second set and after trailing 6-10.
An 11-0 run by Sablan saw them take a 17-10 lead before Ivy Licuben drilled one that Sablan failed to return.
Itogon captain Reynae Arances arrived early in the third set after completing her duty at 4AM at the Benguet Electric Cooperative, but it was too late as Sablan cruised to the win.
Polon and Estal scored 13 and 12 points with the former hitting 11 attack points and two service aces, while the lanky Estal had 11 attack points, nine of which in the second set, and a block.
“We are hoping to get all the players together and train, again schedule is the problem,” said coach JR Barana after they capped their eighth straight win.
“We just hope to get to the top at the end of eliminations with four more games to play including against Tublay and Kapangan,” said the former University of the Cordilleras standout who won the Baguio Benguet Educational Athletic League men’s volleyball title in 2017.
Itogon coach Oliver Jimenez bewailed the lack of practice as a team and the injuries that plagued the team including Julie Odlos and Odessa Obispo, who however, reported for duty against the best team in paper.
He said that the two are still under observation and they must limit their action so not to aggravate their respective injuries.
Odlos heard a crack at his back when they played Tuba in Tublay last December 16. A little later, Obispo seemingly twisted her foot when she landed and had to be brought to the hospital for further evaluation.
Itogon absorbed its fourth defeat with as many victories with four more games remaining. Itogon faces Tublay on January 12, Buguias on January 15, Kabayan on January 19 and Tuba on the last day of eliminations on January 26. All but Kabayan are heavy hitters. CEGYCC Release
