FMS rides to redemption with boys v-ball champs

03/25/25 - Francisco M. Sablan Middle School Napu Riders redeemed themselves after clinching the PSS-NMIVA Interscholastic Boys Middle School Volleyball League 2024-2025 title over Tanapag Middle School Tatagas last March 22 at the Marianas High School Gymnasium after falling short last season.

The Napu Riders were runners-up to Agape Christian School last season, but secured it all this season after an undefeated run in the playoffs. They were granted a one-set advantage in the best-of-five championship series over the Tatagas and swept the next two sets to claim the title.

The Tatagas put up a good fight in the first set against the dominant FMS lineup made up of Jairus Pangilinan, Dezmon Camacho, Robert Villagomez, Jean Paul Reyes, Vince Eusebio, Timothy Espiritu, Peter Santos, Germaya Sellem, Aiden Gimed, Dean Aldan, Anthony Aldan, Petler Fred, Tommy Moses, and Roque Pangilinan, but they were unable to lock it down and lost, 14-21.

The second set saw FMS with multiple aces from Pangilinan and hard-hitting, untouchable kills from Dezmon Camacho. The game went on late into the afternoon, but FMS finally put a stop to it, routing the Tatagas with a 21-9 set to claim the title.

The Tatagas included Peter Camacho, Kinluk Sharry, Carl Hocog, Javale Marciano, Daro Cabrera, Dyson Danis, Deon Sablan, Omar Ibarola, Pryce Cadag, Jon Jon San Nicolas, Rhyane Umali, Justin Garde, and Mark Rogopes.

Pangilinan, an eighth grader at FMS, said after their championship win, “It felt great. It felt great to play in our last year.”

Espiritu, also an eighth grader said, “During the summer, I practiced as much as I could so that we could win today and all of that hard work paid off and I’m really happy about that.” 

Pangilinan and Espiritu then gave a shoutout to their families and friends that have supported them throughout the season.

For head coach Jermaine Salas, he said, “Winning the championship this year really showed me the potential of the boys that were on the team. I’m very sure that they’ll go very far in this sport. I have high hopes for all the boys that joined the team this year.”

Assistant coach Clarence Rodriguez added, “it’s been a three-year journey. The eight-graders now, we’ve been coaching them since sixth grade, so they really put in their work and these coaches—all of us really worked together and it shows their reward and it’s been really worth it.”

Erlwin Aguirre, also an assistant coach, said “Our practices have been way harder than our games because us three coaches would incorporate drills and a lot of conditioning, and also scrimmage against our team. We’re experienced players and we’re just inputting all our knowledge and passion towards our kids as they are our upcoming future.”