MDH Lady Tiger Bears capture AFCSCOM volleyball title

Mohammed Al Dossary Hospital Lady Tiger Bears turned an expected thriller into a cakewalk beating defending champion Saad Specialist Hospital Lady Tabsh Medics in three straight sets 25-22, 25-12, 25-19 to capture the All Filipino Community & Sports Commission Volleyball Tournament crown before a big Friday crowd at the Al Jazeera International School Quadrangle Court here.
After an absence from the volleyball scene, MDH Lady Tiger Bears came back with a vengeance complete with strong recruit and new faces to assert their reputation as the mightiest team in the region.
Youthful Rookie of the Tournament Khristine Bernadette Antonio and first recipient of the Ma. Lourdes Silverio “Hall of Fame Award” Antoinette Briones proved too much for their opponent, combining for 24 hits against their rivals’ measly 12-hit output to anchor the Lady Tiger Bears’ imposing title-clinching victory.
After their breathtaking escape in the semifinal round the Lady Tabsh fell short in the crucial match and needed to win in the early going to advance to the championship match due to ladder system game format wherein they need to beat their erstwhile conqueror the Lady Tiger Bears.
The Lady Tabsh tried their best to regain their composure and attempted to extend the game but succumbed to a maze of errors which the Lady Tiger Bears took advantage to finish them off.
“It’s really hard to match their long potent line up. The game format destroyed us but despite the results, we are happy and confident, their new recruit shocked us,” said team captain Winkee Dampil referring to their early match wherein they need to beat the No. 1 Lady Tiger Bears with a twice to beat advantage.
With Winkee Dampil, Zaida Rufino, and Jocelyn Salazar providing the much needed attacks and floor defense, the lady Tabsh faltered in the most crucial part of the match. Even when mythical six member Frances Meregillano and Best in Service Mary Claire Briones orchestrated varieties of moves, Lady Tabsh still fell short and could not match the intensity of the champions.
“Our new recruits paid off,” said the beaming head coach Dennis Hipolito. “ It’s not easy assembling competitive players but with our willingness to come and show our mastery after our hiatus last season, I can say we’re back in the limelight,” added Hipolito.
Completing the mythical 6 are Briones (Tiger Bears), Andrea Vanessa Salta (Tabsh Medics), Frances, Meregillano (Tabsh Medics), Loretta Saavedra (Tiger Bears), Rowena Peralta (GCC Charges), Kristine Bejec (Heart Breakers). Individual Awardees are Khristine Bernadette Antonio (Best Blocker), Mary Claire Biones (Best in Service), Jocelyn Salazar (Best Digger), Zaida Rufino (Best Tosser), Winkee Dampil (Best Spiker) and the Most Valuable Player was awarded to Roselyn Cudo, a multi-awarded setter remarkable for her placing shots and steady hands with solid defense on the floor.
Members of the champion teams are Roselyn Cudo, Myca Galinato, Joyce San Jose, Rosadel Dela Cruz, Vanessa Atchicoso, Khristine Bernadette Antonio, Rachel Ho, Loretta Saavedra, Antoinette Briones, Crisrhen Morata, Joan Guario, Merina Lintua, Johnua Juain, Analyn Imperial, Sharie Andrada, Mary Jane Tupaz and Dennis Hipolito as head coach.
During the closing ceremony, Commissioner Dennis Danao, applauded the Organizing Committee for a job well done and promised to be a volunteer in the upcoming project of AFCSCOM.
The tournament was sponsored by New Cabalen Restaurant, Gulf Consolidated Contracting, Goldwings Cargo & Restaurant, Sky Freight Forwarders, Nestlé Springs Water, McDonald’s, Mohammed Al Dossary Hospital, ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel, Seattle’s Best-Cinnabon, Al Jazeera Internationational School and International Philippine School in Alkhobar.
The volunteers and AFCSCOM 2012 Organizing Committee are overall chairperson-director Ma. Lourdes Silverio, overall co-director Jojie Apolinario, Dennis Danao (commissioner), Chester Ventura (head technical), Ryan Mendoza (asst. technical head), Denden Pagaduan (court manager), Robbie Navoa, Rex Ian Dela Rosa, Led Purple Macasil and Rennie Aldwin Bagtas (statisticians), Jepoi Aquino, Eric Canare, and Jihad Kadoora (referees) and special support staff Danny Rioflorido, Abe Regalado and Dande Pagola.