KAPANGAN, Benguet – Denied to play Wednesday at their home court, Shirley Balantac injected years of experience as court general and led La Trinidad to beat Kapangan in four sets here Sunday in the Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup – Benguet Women’s Volleyball League.
Balantac was one of the two players who missed action last Wednesday in the three-set victory over Kibungan but showed she has the leadership that unleashed the power of Trinidad’s top hitters for a 25-13, 25-16, 27-29, 25-21 victory.
Although teams are allowed 20 players, only 15 are allowed to play in a game. Trinidad had 17 players during the Kibungan match where the latter had only seven.
The former Saint Louis University setter turned back time and had 19 excellent sets in the victory that took one hour and 23 minutes. She added five points, three on attacks and two service aces.
With her on the floor, Balantac had 13 points, eight on attacks and five service aces, from Stephanie Torres. Elyzel Kate Nunez had 10 markers all on attacks.
“It is team effort, everybody contributed from the liberos, the substitutes,” said Balantac.
Coach Jhon Patrick Garcia praised the efforts of his players saying that it is one of their finest that could get them to second spot after the eliminations.
“That is our goal, we need to at least make it among the top four, but if we could get closer, maybe a second then it would be great,” Garcia added.
Trinidad has lost once, to powerhouse Sablan and would need yet to beat Itogon and Tuba, the latter a lot stronger after the arrival of Mary Anne Atuban in a losing effort to Sablan earlier Sunday.
Balantac became the second setter to win player of the game honors.
Kapangan had a bad day when all their offensive effort went to naught. It lost setter and team captain Edralyn Mangantulao when she hurt her right fingers that saw her lift the ball ones enroute to losing the second set and her replaced by Hazel Joy Chapichap, who tried leading the squad the rest of the way.
It could not get better for the host team after top player Dezsaera Mae Monang could not play so she could fulfill school requirements.
It was a monstrous effort for Kapangan’s biggest presence, Lovely Joy Balagat who top scored with 14 points. That effort came from six attack points, four service aces and a league high four blocks.
Xhyrelle Joy Sasa backstopped her with eight points, while Balagat’s court “twin”, Victoria Balabag and Roselyn Suhat chipped in seven markers, while Daisyree Accoy and Hazel Joy Chapichap added six and five points, respectively.
Kapangan had a new lease on life in the third set when Balagat took over as they battled from two points down when Trinidad was at set point, 24-22. Balagat made only one kill but her service aces and blocks proved providential for the host squad.
In the fourth, Kapangan fought from five points down and was down by two, 21-23 but a Nunez service ace and an error by Suhat sealed the deal for the visitors. CEGYCC Release
