MARINOS’ RULE: Great White Shark upends Red Tigers to bag back to back crow

MONTILLA BLVD, Butuan City – Maritime Academy (MA) Great White Sharks proved that last year’s grace was not only given by chance after pouncing College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE) Red Tigers in the final’s best of five series.

          Jason Perez took all the beating to bring his team back to the golden podium as the MA defeated CCJE in 3-1 win (22-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-17), during the Men’s Volleyball Championship Game at SJIT Annex Campus, September 28.

          Perez who had all the fighting since the day-1 of the tournament fending off two three colleges prior the match, tallied an excellent 19 points from 17 attacks and two blocks to snatch the win after MA lost its grip at the first set.

          “I have just given my strongest, and thought what was best for the team and that is only to win,” said Perez smiling, “but it will never be possible without the team’s camaraderie,” he added.

          James Claro also donated 6 kill blocks, Crebillo with 4 blocks, and Marvin Buctot with 3 blocks and 2 service aces to lift up their team in the heat-filled title match.

          Perez, who blew multiple attacks from to the down-the-line side and holed CCJE’s defense, stretched their lead by as much as 8 in the third set with the help of Buctot’s mindful toss.

          They then gain confidence, MA strengthened their blocking department and looked as a darkness for the tigers as they can never find a way to enter MA’s ground that nailed the margin to 5 points by the end of the final set. 

          However, it was never too easy for the Sharks as they faced opponent’s roar in the first canto who seemed to outsmart them in the offense-defense side that pulled the first blood far from reach to the Marinos.

          CCJE’s open spiker, Leonard Gerona, doubled his efforts to bring 11 points for his team despite the loss.

         But the tense still felt the same way for MA in the second set after they found themselves behind in a 7-point deficit midway, but the downfall seemed to be the light for Maritime as they upgraded in a 17-17 all cushion capped again by Perez’ spikes. And in that, they even gained the momentum and left the Tigers behind the floor.

          From that moment on, the pace was kept by MA and never gave CCJE a glimpse of winning again.