NO MVP, NO PROBLEM

Caoile-less PHS nips SEHS

By: Gilbert Paulo Ramos

Two-time Palarong Pambansa Most Valueble Player (MVP) Fernando Caoile Jr. has nothing to
worry about his team.
Parang High School (PHS) survived a disastrous 21-errors behind skipper Kerry James Legaspi’s
heroics as he propelled his team to a 21-19, 19-21, 21-19 escape against Sta. Elena High School (SEHS) in
their Sepak Takraw exhibition match, August 28, at Marikina High School (MHS) covered court.
Multi-Palarong Pambansa medalists Legaspi, who took over Caoile’s role due to knee injury,
fired crucial eight cartwheel kicks and two blocks of his 22 total points in the pivotal third set that
sparked to a furious 10-2 blits to turn 5-7 deficit to 16-10 advantage to take driver’s seat halfway
through the end of the third.
SEHS, tallied dismal 31 errors, tried to steal the game away from their rivals as they threaten
PHS with their own 5-0 bomb to trim six deficits to just two points 19-17 with Jervy Lazaro’s bicycle hit in
front of Legaspi’s rock-solid defense. SEHS could certainly change the outcome of the game but costly
errors from tekong Arsyl Tupas spelled the doom.
Despite lackluster performance in service department, 15-time National Capital Region (NCR)
Palaro champion coach Emerardo “Entoy” Claridad stressed that he would keep his eyes on his team and
focus on their weakness instead of being disappointed.
“There is nothing I can do to that. We instead focus on our weaknesses rather than expressing
dismays to my team,” said 46-year-old Claridad, Sepak Takraw national youth team coach.
“We better prepare for the next games. It’s an opportunity for us to pinpoint our weaknesses
before real battle begins,” he added.
Interestingly, both teams - played as one – capped 2017 and 2018 Palarong Pambansa gold
medal in San Jose, Antique and Vigan, Ilocos Sur, respectively, after dominating long-time titlist Western
Visayas. Moreover, for two consecutive years, Marikina prides finished third in the prestigious ASEAN
Inter-School Games 2017 in Singapore and 2018 in Malaysia.
17-year-old Lazaro top scored SEHS with 12 markers but had lack of support from his
companions. Rey Tupas and Arsyl Tupas siblings scored four apiece.
PHS outgunned SEHS in the attack line with 19 out of 28 hits compare to 14 out of 22 hits.
Claridad’s ward will start their title-defense campaign in Division Meet Palaro 2018, set to kick
off in November.