Tag: bronze

Alas Pilipinas girls cop bronze medal in Thailand U18 tournament

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FILE–Alas Pilipinas girls during a game in the Princess Cup Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship in Thailand.–Photo from SMM Volleyball

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas Girls captured a historic bronze medal in the 22nd Princess Cup Southeast Asian Under-18 Women’s Volleyball Championship after sweeping Australia, 25-13, 25-21, 25-20, in the battle for third on Thursday at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium in Thailand.

The national youth team turned to Kimberly Rubin and Harlyn Serneche anew to beat the Australians for the second time this tournament and earn its best finish in its second appearance in the regional meet.

Alas, under rookie Japanese coach Taka Minowa, surpassed the previous fourth place of the former national youth team, led by Princess Cup Best Libero Kath Arado in 2016.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls lose chance to reach final of Thailand tilt

The 2016 youth team fell to to Indonesia, 12-25, 21-25, 17-25, in the bronze medal match but Arado proved to be the silver lining of the tournament after earning a spot on the mythical team.

In the u-18 team’s revival, Minowa, also Akari’s coach in the PVL, and his wards won four of their six games, bouncing back from a crucial 22-25, 18-25, 19-25 loss to Indonesia on Wednesday.

The nationals dominated the opening set but needed to fight back from a 13-16 deficit in the second as the Aussies committed three consecutive attack errors before Serneche drilled an attack and Lianne Penuliar nailed an ace for a 19-16 lead.

READ: Alas Pilipinas podium finish ushers in new era for PH volleyball

Australia trimmed it down to 22-21 but Serneche and Ashley Macalinao put on the finishing touches of the second for a two-set lead.

Alas broke a tie at 19-all after back-to-back miscues from Australia before Rosie Alchin stopped the bleeding, 21-20. Maile Salang’s big block and miscommunication from the Aussies allowed the Filipinos to pull away with a 23-20 lead, as Rubin sealed the bronze with back-to-back kills.

Interestingly, Alas women’s team, led by Jia De Guzman and Angel Canino, earned bronze in the AVC Challenge Cup last month after beating Australia.

The national youth team got a morale booster from its bronze finish before heading to the Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship starting on Sunday at the same venue.

Thailand and Indonesia will clash for the Princess Cup supremacy later in the day.

Tams bag bronze in preseason tilt, show signs of things to come

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Far Eastern just sent a message to the field of the coming UAAP men’s basketball season that the Tamaraws will be a far different team when the real battle comes.

“We’re not out to just be like wait for our turn, diba? We wanna get out, we’re here, we’re playing, every game is [dedicated] to the FEU community,” rookie head coach Sean Chambers said after steering the Tamaraws to the bronze medal of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason tournament.

Far Eastern showed its grit and never-quit attitude here throughout, highlighting it on Wednesday afternoon with an 80-78 nipping of NCAA power Letran, 80-78.

With the arrival of Chambers, regarded as one of the best PBA imports ever while playing for defunct Alaska, the Tamaraws are looking to turn things around after a disappointing seventh-place finish in Season 86 behind former star LJay Gonzales.

And the former TNT Tropang Giga assistant coach feels nothing but gratitude for having the chance to help the talented Tamaraws.

“I am truly, truly blessed and honored to be part of the FEU organization,” Chambers, who was not shy to admit that he still has a lot to learn with regard to UAAP rules, said. “I feel a complete sense of honor to be back here in the Philippines and get this opportunity.

“This [tournament] is amazing for me because it gives me a slight [idea] of what the UAAP is gonna be like,” he said. “I believe it’s only one way to continue and go up.”

Nothing but praise

Mainstay Jorick Bautista is still a reliable contributor on the offense end for Far Eastern, dropping 21 points on the Knights, while graduating guard Royce Alforque provided leadership for the younger Tams apart from finishing with 19 points and five assists.

“I am just amazed with [Alforque’s] work ethic, his determination and I think his leadership is gonna be so invaluable for us … I know we’re playing with a lot of young guys, but the talent level is amazing,” Chambers said of his ace, who has worked hard after an injury.

Chambers also had nothing but praise for incoming rookie forward Veejay Pre, who posted 13 points and 10 rebounds. He expects the young gun to be an asset when Season 87 unfolds.

“Veejay is gonna have a long career playing basketball,” Chambers said. “I think what’s most impressive about Veejay is that he’s such an amazing kid, too, like he’s such a great guy. He’s one of the hardest working guys everyday, he’s focused on everything.”

Another cog to look forward to is Senegalese big man Mohamed Konateh, who feasted off the boards to come up with 21 rebounds apart from 11 points.

Although it is only a preseason tourney, the Tamaraws believe that the bronze they earned is a sign of better things to come.

“Absolutely,” Chambers said when asked if Far Eastern can build on this. “I told the guys last time that we lost to UP that we’re not playing for show. We wanna continue to work on ourselves and let the chips fall where they fall, and we are out here trying to win.”

Kings’ Montessori beats NU for Shakey’s Girls volleyball bronze

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Kings’ Montessori School during the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League against National University-Nazareth School.–Photo from SGVIL

MANILA, Philippines — Sisters Shekaina and Shahanna Lleses powered the Kings’ Montessori School past National University-Nazareth School, 25-18, 24-26, 25-23, 25-22, to bring home the bronze medal of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (GVIL) on Sunday at Adamson Gym.

Shekaina unleashed a game-high 28 points off 25 attacks and three aces, while her sister Shahanna backstopped her with 14 points to stun the UAAP runner-up in one hour and 57 minutes.

“It’s very heartwarming to see these kids [win against] top school NU. They worked hard for it and this bronze is the result of their hardships and sacrifices,” said KMS assistant coach Glenn Gomez, attributing their victory to head coach Onyok Getigan, who is in Japan for Farm Fresh’s training camp.

READ: UAAP rivals arrange KO semis in Shakey’s Girls volleyball

“This is for coach Onyok. This result is because of his knowledge and guidance. He even called us from Japan to talk to the players.”

Aiana Jumawan ran the plays as Justine Decena chipped in seven points, while Kriska Gindap and Mhyne Escote added six points each.

Kings’ Montessori fell to finalist Bacolod Tay Tung, 25-18, 25-14, 25-23, in the knockout semifinal on Thursday.

NUNS settled for fourth place for the second straight year with Diza Marie Verayo leading the team with 22 points off 19 attacks and three aces. Joseline Salazar contributed 12 points off eight attacks, two blocks, and a pair of aces, while Mardy Tayag added 11 points.

Meanwhile,  Far Eastern University-Diliman cruised past Arellano University, 25-18, 25-23, 25-19, for a fifth-place finish.

READ: New-look California Academy begins Shakey’s Girls title defense

Riane Alonzo led the Lady Baby Tamaraws with 11 points, while Shiela Pascual and Clarisses Loresco added 10 points each, combining for 18 of FEU-Diliman’s 38 attack points.

“I’m happy that they brought out their A game. They just needed a little more push and better communication inside the court,” said FEU coach Joanne Bunag.

Samantha Maranan was the lone bright spot for the Lady Braves with 15 points.

Shane Reterta poured in 27 points as Bethel Academy College overcame  Lyceum of the Philippines University, 22-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-20, for a seventh-place finish.

Reterta pounded 25 kills and had two aces. Trisha Porto added nine points while Andrea Dinglasan and Jerrize Armintia had combined 11 markers for the Bethelites, who had a good run in their first GVIL foray.

Philip Gancia and Charle Rutaquio posted 14 and 12 points, respectively, but weren’t enough to save the Junior Lady Pirates.