ASTEEGs break three-year win or lose men’s volley curse; Reapers redeem back-to-back women’s crown

Photo by John Ross Sambanan, Adrian Joven

Story by Berjan Pagadatan,Vaness Villafuerte

Being on the losing end despite twice-to-beat leverage for the last two Intramurals Men’s Volleyball Championships, the College of Engineering (COE) ASTEEGs finally ended the curse by acing 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-19) in their finals match against the College of Agriculture (COA) Reapers to clinch gold on the men’s volleyball finals, at the University Open Court, October 9.

Fueled by determination, the Reapers fought hard to secure the deciding game, extending the match and culminating in a hard-fought first set, yet ASTEEGs were too much for the COA’s early plays, with COE clinching the opening rout, 25-21.

Hungry for a gold medal-ending since 2018, the ASTEEGs launched up their potent spikes and towering blocks, led by Jerald Paul Enrijo and Keith Adem Dela Cruz, propelling the ASTEEGs victorious in the second set with 25-17.

Facing temporary setbacks, ASTEEGs refocused, with Team Captain Enrijo contributing significantly, securing triumph in the duel with 25-19, as the third set ends.

Enrijo expressed his joy and gratitude "I'm so happy and grateful kay grabe ang trust sa teammates ko, seniors, sa ESO, sa akoa. Siguro sa teammates ko gid kay ako gihimo na captain ball. Happy kaayo ko nadala nako ang team sa championship," he remarked.

“Thankful ko kay nadaog mi kay di lang tungod sa isa ang nagdula, kundi nagdula jud mi as a team,” he added.

Meanwhile, holding on to their throne last Intramurals 2022, the College of Agriculture (COA) Reapers successfully defended their women’s volleyball triumph, reaping the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) Vanguards after sweeping up their foes on the second game, 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-18), seizing gold.

Despite the Reapers enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage, Vanguards pushed the defending champions to a do-or-die match, 1-2 (23-25, 25-12, 13-15), at the first game, reviving CSSH’s hope for redemption.

Unbothered with the first game’s result, COA early on startled CSSH’s defense, ending the first set with a 12-point gap, Reapers drawing the match’s first blood with 25-13.

Reapers never let the momentum slip away, securing the second and third sets, 25-17, 25-18, respectively, leaning towards Team Captain Ivy Taghoy’s leadership, establishing redeeming their volleyball title.