UST bags national title as NGVL fulfills mission

INQUIRER FILES

It’s not easy to be recognized as national volleyball champions in a country that is focused on big-name tournaments.

Imagine if you’re not even 16 yet.

But the girls of University of Santo Tomas can lay claim to that tag after bagging the inaugural National Grassroots Volleyball League (NGVL) crown with a commanding sweep of Immaculate Conception Academy of Dasmariñas, Cavite, 25-7, 28-26, 25-9, in the championship match at Filoil Centre recently.

Tournament MVP Taj Arkhea Teves finished with 22 points on 19 kills and three aces to spearhead UST’s attack while opposite hitter Khurztein Margareth Asumbra added 14 kills for 14 points.

After a lackluster first set, ICA-Dasmariñas almost found its groove in the following set, a day after pulling the rug under De La Salle-Zobel in their semifinal match.

Apple Laine Saquilayan carried the load for the Cavite side with eight points, but a series of errors late in the second set allowed UST to escape unscathed.

Despite the defeat, ICA still looked like a winner.

In fact, everyone did.

With a lot of volleyball attention drawn by the professional PVL and the bright lights of the UAAP and NCAA, it’s hard for young teenagers to have their share of the spotlight.

The NGVL, however, made sure to shine a light on the country’s young talents, and it is catching the eye of observers, who see it as a perfect stage for grassroots development.

“This is a great platform for young kids to be exposed at an early age,” said veteran coach Ryan Revita.

Revita kept an eye on the NGVL’s inaugural year, watching as young talents from far provinces eagerly showed off their talents on a national stage.

“This way will really elevate volleyball in the Philippines,” Revita added.

La Salle Zobel claimed the bronze medal with a hard-fought 19-25, 25-23, 26-24, 26-24 victory over Bacolod Tay Tung Thunderbolts.

Kylie Rianzhel Celada provided the difference, with 25 kills and four aces for 29 total points. Opposite hitter Zeianne Laborte added 17 kills for 19 points, and Best Middle Blocker awardee Ma. Alyana Dominique Valdez anchored the net with four blocks and nine points.

For the Thunderbolts, Marie Cacho finished with 15 points, while Samantha Canete and Memielle Letran added 12 and 10 respectively.

UST swept three of six individual awards—Teves taking Best Outside Hitter, Asumbra earning Best Opposite Hitter and Sab Katigbak Ambrocio named Best Setter.

La Salle Zobel’s Valdez earned Best Middle Blocker, and Bacolod Tay Tung’s Luchi Vivero walked away with Best Libero.

NGVL president Yvette Katigbak-Ambrocio had the satisfaction of watching the league fulfill its mission.

“We’d like them to be able to dream big as early as now, be able to showcase what they have and hone their skills,” she said. “And in the process make new friends.”