Bulua, Carmen, Patag show the way

BARANGAYS Bulua, Carmen and Patag denied host Lapasan a title as they ruled the remaining categories of the Mayor Oscar S. Moreno Inter-Barangay Volleyball Tournament, which ended here on Sunday at the Lapasan plaza covered courts.

The Lapasan spikers of chairman Omar Labuntog went close in winning the men’s open title but slipped away in a tight decision.

Lapasan started hot in taking the first set, 25-17.

But Bulua turned around things afterwards coming back with 25-18 and 25-20 victories in the second and third sets, respectively.

Bryan Cambangay, Nico Balangan, John Rey Ebarat, Eyle Capili, Lorenzo Racaza and Christian Jhon Padlas pulled combined for Bulua’s offensive blows.

Responding to the home crowd’s chants, Richard Yare, Dimco Gumapon, Jovel Flores, Nedrick Castigador and Noel Waper kept Lapasan alive as they survived in the fourth set, 25-22 to force a deciding match.

Lapasan surged right away, 6-3 prompting Bulua coach Lawrence `Ren’ Abut to call for a timeout.

From there, everything went well for Bulua en route to a complete reversal of fortune.

“Klaro kaayo nga paingon sila sa quick attacks para mapatay ang buylo sa Lapasan kay kung nasapon palang toa possible ma-demoralize ang Bulua,” tournament director Alex Adeva said.

Bulua turned the favor at 12-9 lead in the race-to-15 deciding set, but Lapasan trimmed the deficit by one at 14-13.

Needing to even the score for a possible add-two extension, Jovel Flores served the ball that only went to the net, thus giving Bulua the victory.

Lapasan settled for second place, while Consolacion

landed at third after defeating Macasanding.

In the Women’s Open, the Patag volleybelles conquered Lapasan in three-straight sets, 25-23, 25-14 and 25-11.

Lapasan placed second with Balulang at third place.

In the 17-under ladies bracket, Martina Dacer led Carmen to a titular finish with a 25-22 and 25-19 victory over the Lapasan jr. volleybelles.

Gusa also won over Lapasan for the 17-under boys crown.

To its credit, Lapasan was the only barangay to have all their four teams reaching the finals in all categories of the Mayor’s Cup tourney.