A SELECTION known as the Eagle Spikers of Apayao are expected to give their best shot in the secondary girls volleyball games of the 2018 Palarong Pambansa when action begins this Monday in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
The Eagle Spikers stood their ground and claimed a three-set 25-19, 25-22, 25-22, win over Baguio City. They clinched their third championship in a row during the regional meet at the Bangued East Elementary School in Bangued, Abra.
This is the third time that they have beaten the the Baguio team since the 2017, and after the stopping the same squad from the Mountain Province in 2016.
“Holding a title is not an easy task. It needs dedication, passion, and wise time management between teaching loads, family responsibilities, and coaching sports,” said Ronaldo Antolin in a statement.
The Eagles Spikers will face opposition from the Southern Tagalog Region, which snatched the crown from the National Capital Region in last year’s finale.
The Apayao Eagle Spikers went on to claim awards in the recent regional meet, with eleventh grader Ricka Mae Ulidan, the team captain from Pudtol Vocational High School (PVHS), claiming the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors.
Fevie Janine Illustrado, who is also from PVHS, took the Best Server award and Karllete Lianne Patta was declared as the Best Libero.
As part of the training, the squad attended tune-up games in Tuguegarao City, Batac City, and Laoag City in order to gain enough confidence and experience when the Games come along.
The same squad had earlier won the First Northern Invitational Volleyball League held in Claveria, Cagayan.