The City of Malabon University Belles overcame jitters to crash highly touted Technological University of the Philippines in straight sets, 25-13, 25-11, 25-17 at the start of the volleyball event on Sunday, Oct. 8, in the 2023 ROTC Games National Capital Region (NCR) Leg at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum inside RMSC complex in Manila.

Jessa Pormocille and Marisol Barcelona dominated the scoring charts with well calculated blocks, aces  and spikes to forge a rousing start in the Philippine Army competition.

“It’s a big win for us. I’m proud of my team that they were able to overcome the challenge from a much more bigger university like TUP.

I’m sure our school officials will be very much happy with the way we played,” said CMU sports director Jasper Perez. After taking the opening set, 25-13, Pormocille scored four consecutive aces and Barcelona added three blocks to take away the second set with a lot of ease. They needed only an hour and 15 minutes to claim the victory in the event that carries the theme: “Tibay at Galing Pagyamanin, Suportahan Palarong ROTC Natin.” 

“We have only two months of preparations so we are not expecting too much. But they have shown enough guts and determination in the game. I’m sure this will boost their confidence. Puwedi pala kami magiging surprise champion dito,” added Perez. 

In the other volleyball matches of the Philippine Army, Quezon City University won over Olivarez College of Paranaque, 3-0, while Our Lady of Lourdes Technological College of Quezon City subdued Pamantasan ng Lungsod Maynila, 3-0. Makati Science Technological Institute of the Philippines won by default over Olivarez College, 3-0 and Polytechnic University of the Philippines likewise secured a 3-0 win over Blink Link Philippines also in the Army competition.

Aside from athletics and volleyball, the kickboxing event also started its elimination round yesterday at the Dacudao court near the lawn tennis center, while the boxing elimination round  was held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The three-day e-sports competition will begin Thursday via online.

Top officials of the inaugural staging of the event aimed at developing the sense of patriotism among students-cadets, said that after the NCR Leg, the last of the four qualifying legs that started in Iloilo City last August followed by Zamboanga City and Indang, Cavite recently, the national finals will immediately follow in Marikina City on Oct. 22 to 26.