Mandaue City Team Captain Shiela Mae Kiseo attacks Carcar City’s defense in Game 1 of the Gov’s Cup Volleyball Finals at the Carcar City Sports Complex. / CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON
Mandaue draws first blood against Carcar in Gov’s Cup V’ball Finals
Mandaue City arrived at the Carcar City Sports Complex two hours before the start of its finals battle with Carcar City in the Governor’s Cup 18-Under Inter-Cities and Municipalities Volleyball Tournament.
The North Division champion was that serious in its bid to win the title.
And it paid off as Mandaue City cruised to a 25-22, 25-18, 25-17 victory in Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals last night.
“We came here early to feel the opponent’s court and atmosphere,” said Mandaue City Head Coach Jerry Perdiguez, recalling the team’s downfall in Game 2 of its North Division Finals series with Catmon. In that game, crowd played an important factor.
With the team arriving early and adapting to the Carcar court and crowd, Mandaue had little problems in disposing its opponents, finishing the game in just three straight sets.
“I told my team to give their best. And they did,” Perdiguez said.
He added that he noticed a chink in Carcar’s armor in Game 1.
“Carcar City is strong, but I think they lack blockers,” he said.
Carcar City Head Coach Guilbert Aliser couldn’t agree more, saying this is the problem his team faced against Dalaguete and Argao.
“We have heard of how strong Mandaue is. But we never thought a lot of them would be so tall, [and this is what] my team somehow lacks,” Aliser said.
Last tournament
Far Eastern University (FEU)-bound Shiela Mae Kiseo spearheaded Mandaue City’s victory with her game-long brilliance.
Mandaue’s team captain revealed that this tournament will be her last.
“I was approached by FEU last year but I wasn’t ready to settle far from my family yet,” the 17-year-old Kiseo said. “Now, I am ready.”
Kiseo played for the University of San Jose- Recoletos (USJ-R) in the Cebu Schools and Athletics Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) volleyball tournament.
Mandaue can grab the crown at home as Game 2 will be held at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex on Wednesday.