The City of Naga escaped a thrilling championship match against Talisay City in the final round of the Gov. Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball Cup (GUV CUP) at the Talisay City Sports Complex today.
Homecourt advantage did not, in the end, serve Talisay City as the City of Naga forced a deciding fifth set where they emerged victorious with a score 15-12.
Talisay City was off to a good start, securing the first set in a highly competitive match up that yielded the score 25-23.
It was a seesaw battle from there as Naga retaliated, scoring a convincing 25-7 victory over Talisay in the second set.
Third set was a hard-earned victory for Talisay, reclaiming the lead with a 30-28 score.
However, it was Talisay’s final win, as Naga, led by their middle spiker Franz Caballan, staged a furious bid for the crown, securing the fourth set (25-22); as well as the final set.
“Gi-double niya ang iyang effort. Di man gud na siya ang usual nga mohatag og dako nga puntos, but ganeha iyang gipakita twice sa akong gi-expect,” Joerem Yu, City of Naga head coach, told Sugbo News.
Caballan scored an impressive 19 points in his debut at the Guv Cup as the City of Naga is crowned champions of the come-backing men’s category of the One Cebu Island Guv Cup. | Babie Jane Revecoy