SPORTS

MCDAA 2025: Tigers Outplay Eagles to Claim Volleyball Championship Title

Behind the Camera: Pillars of the Players

Camera clicks, cacophonous shouts, and overlapped by the noise of the shoutcaster, signifying that the match ended, crowded the gymnasium of Cabancalan 1 Elementary School. A hint of disappointment displayed on team Tigers while catching their breaths. Could’ve been but never was. But behind every game, lies a strong support system. The players played in the gymnasium, their families and supportive coaches stayed rooted in their seats, heartbeats racing with nervous hope. Win or lose, they were the first to clap, the first to shout encouragement, the first to rise when their sons faltered. Their presence—firm, unwavering—became the heartbeat behind every play. After the game, sweats were still dripping, Von Gerruz Ayong Magpayo, 12, spiker of eagles, said in an interview “Among buhaton sunod kay maningkamot mi na amo trungon sunod.” Resiliency, respect, and humility are not just mere values, they are—home values. The truth is, consistent training sessions were never enough. Behind every serve, every receive, every spike were packed lunches, rubbed shoulders, early-morning wake-up calls, and whispered reminders to “do your best.” Families endured the heat, the long waits, and the emotional rollercoaster just to be in the crowd—just to let their players know that whatever happens in the gymnasium, they are not alone. In every game, the real pillars aren’t always seen on the floor. They’re the ones sitting quietly behind the camera, cheering the loudest when the world goes silent.

On the Court, Off the Net 

Every player dreams of soaring for the perfect spike, delivering an unstoppable service ace, or hearing the crowd erupt after their winning point. But the game isn’t always that generous. Beyond the cheers and the booming court echoes, there sits a quiet line of athletes whose stories rarely get told—the bench players. On the court, off the net, their battles look different. 

While the starters dive for receivers, set up plays, and hammer kills, the benchers fight a silent match of their own. Their heartbeats thump like a quick-set tempo—not from fatigue, but from hope. “Tawagon ba ko ni coach karon? Will I finally step inside the lines?” They stay locked in, eyes glued to every rotation, ready to check in the moment their number is called. But sometimes, the whistle blows, the set ends, and their moment never arrives. 

Yet what people don’t see is the weight they carry—one that stats can’t measure. They’re the loudest in cheers, the first to hype a teammate after a misreceive, the ones pushing hardest during drills long after the starters rest. Their energy anchors the team’s confidence, even if their shoes barely touch the court. Because in volleyball, not all heroes touch the ball. Some stay on the sidelines—watching, hoping, believing. And sometimes, the strongest players are the ones the game hasn’t given a chance… at least, not yet.

Patient Hands, Growing Wings: Tigers Fall Short 

Thunderous spikes, desperate dives, and soaring blocks defined the match, but when the final whistle blew, the scoreboard told a story of near triumph—not quite enough. 

For Harry Sanchez, coach of tigers, however, the numbers on the board were only part of the story. “Naa may potential mga bata. Among aim is to win, pero mas importante nga makakat-on sila,” he said, reflecting on the effort and learning moments that defined the game. 

To him, coaching is not merely about victories—it is about shaping players who grow with every experience, win or lose. He reminds his team to see beyond the immediate outcome. “Mudawat lang jud sila pildi kay every game, naa may mo-win ug lose,” Sanchez said. To him, losses are not failures—they are lessons: opportunities to reflect, improve, and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. Even as the Tigers left the court without a win, they carried more than disappointment. They carried knowledge, experience, and the quiet assurance that a coach’s patient hands can turn every setback into a stepping stone. Though the Tigers were pressed by the match, they shed their fears to reveal sharper claws.

Respect Before the Score: Tigers and Eagles Set the Standard 

Volleyball is often remembered for spikes, blocks, and the final score. But last Friday’s clash between the Tigers and Eagles proved that true victory can also be measured in respect. 

Every play was met with acknowledgment—nodding after a good serve, lending a hand after a dive, or sharing a quick word of encouragement. The game was competitive, yet the players kept their composure and honored each other’s effort. Harry Sanchez, coach of the Tigers said it best: “Winning is important, yes, pero mas importante nga kabalo sila mo-respeto sa uban. That’s what makes a true athlete.” Even after the final whistle, handshakes, smiles, and playful jabs showed that sportsmanship won alongside the game. 

For anyone watching, the match was a reminder that in sports, character often outshines the scoreboard. The Tigers and Eagles didn’t just play a game, they set a standard for how competition should be played.