Here comes the sun: Men's volleyball heats up the storm-affected quadrangle

With the tropical storm mellowing out in Catbalogan, the Palaro SSU 2024 returns with a revamped schedule to finally determine what unit stands tall among others. As early as 8 in the morning, the Palaro Men’s Volleyball Tournament – Double Eliminations immediately started to accommodate multiple matchups in the first day of the revamped two-day sports meet at the SSU Quadrangle today.

Opening the continuation of the Palaro volleyball matchups—game 3, the College of Education heated up the quadrangle by toppling the College of Industrial Technology. CIT showcased their agility and cunningness with direct attacks and feints in the first set. But, CoEd battled brains with brawn as they powered through the sly and agile CIT with force, 2-1.

The fourth game was the showdown of the external campuses with Mercedes Campus and Paranas Campus facing off. Paranas decisively washed out Mercedes with 2-set sweeps, with the men squad marshalled by their masterful setter tossing an array of quick attacks and dumps, 2-0.

In game 5, the College of Arts and Sciences are matched up with the warmed up College of Education as their opening match of the day. The CoEd men’s warm engines proved effective as they swept the CAS boys with CoEd clocking a 10-point lead in the first set. The second set showed a reborn CAS, engaging with a shootout of fiery attacks with CoEd, but CoEd overcame the deadlock indefinitely and posed a block to close the match, 2-0.

Ironically, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences killed the College of Engineering’s finals hopes by giving them their second loss in game 6. CoEng’g introduced their squad in the opening set with violent attacks giving them the momentum. CoNHS got hold of the momentum and ran away with the lead, nabbing the first set. In the second set, CoEng’g reemphasized their presence and denied any CoNHS revival efforts. CoEng’g continued their hold until the third set, but CoNHS replied with blocks to zero in. Contrasting with how they started, a CoEng’g mis-spike eliminated them from the tournament, 2-1.

In the 7th game, the College of Industrial Technology sent the SSU – Mercedes Campus packing as they dominantly sweeps the latter. As redemption for their earlier performance, the CIT squad continued their slickness with quick attacks and feints that messed up Mercedes’ defense. Mercedes tallied up their second loss, following their Paranas matchup frown, eliminating them from the tournament, 2-0.

In the 8th game of the tournament, SSU – Paranas Campus shook off the homecourt advantage as they swept the College of Education, ending their twofold winning streak as a bonus. The Paranas setter once again demonstrated a masterclass as he tossed a spectrum of direct and quick attacks, coupled with unpredictable dumps and rigid blocks, they ended CoEd’s winning run, 2-0.

The final game of the day matched up the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the College of Industrial Technology, who are both facing eliminations. In the desperate struggle of staying in the bracket, CoNHS brought with them the momentum from the CoEng’g victory. But, halfway through the set saw CIT adapting to CoNHS attacks and thieving the momentum. CIT propelled the lead and completely dominated the second set, killing CoNHS’ final lifeline, 2-0.