While being raised as a mentally sharp basketball player by his family, Ivan A. Jorojoro, the highest pointer middle spiker, shifted his athletic path to volleyball and ultimately brought the team a semis ticket via two straight wins for Unit III – Matina Central Elementary during the Elimination Round in Volleyball Boys Division- Elementary against Unit I – Teofilo V. Fernandez Elementary School and University of Immaculate Conception (UIC) on February 6.

“Ivan made his hardest decision when he had to choose where to commit between volleyball and basketball events for this DCAA as he qualified for both events during the Unit 3 sports meet,” shared Marilou S. Bitacura, coach of Unit 3 Volleyball Boys Division.

Despite disagreements with his family, he made his last-minute decision to join volleyball instead, the sports that his family has never expected him to be in the limelight.

“The Unit 3 players, some of whom are inexperienced, showed determination and discipline during our series of training sessions in preparation for DCAA. They are all potential players, consistent with their roles and give their best in every game. They showed good defense and attack systems which is their advantage in winning,” Randy Yangwas, Trainer of Matina Central Elementary School said in local dialect.

The team is now a qualifier for the Semi-Finals which is scheduled on February 7-8, 2023.

Writer: Rhea P. Nalam

Photographer: Marie Antonette P. Auguis

Graphics: Karl Jay V. Baquera