Opinions
Magnificent Maroons!
By Lorraine Ilagan
The DMCI Maroons Junior Varsity Boys Volleyball team: (l-r): Heather Ruby (head coach), Kerrnel Reyes, Nathaniel Turgano, Nathaniel Alnas, Julius Uson, Keishawn Mitchell, Oliver Maula, Joseph Smith, Junell Altasin, Renz Suazo, Reymel Eusebio, Isaac Hildebrand, Carolina Nario (assistant coach). Front: (l-r): Anthony Bui, Marco Aviles, Neil Cruz, Trevor Tran. (Not in photo: Rodson Bautista)
The DMCI Junior Varsity Boys Volleyball team captured the Winnipeg School Division Championship trophy on Tuesday, November 2 with a perfect record of eight wins and no losses going into the play-offs. They defeated Kelvin High School with scores 25-14 and 25-17 in the semi-finals, then went on to win an exciting final match against Tec Voc High School with scores of 25-20 and 25-15. This is the ninth consecutive championship for the DMCI Maroons.
One of the keys to DMCI’s success is the time and effort put in during practices and tournaments throughout the season. Another major factor is the quality of programming at the junior high level. Most of the team’s players come from Sargent Park and General Wolfe where the athletes have been trained by committed coaches such as Lenin Mangaron.
Of the 15 players this year at DMCI, 11 are Filipino, 10 of whom were born in the Philippines. Oliver Maula, the setter, Marco Aviles, a power hitter, and Nathaniel Alnas, also a power hitter, have both been outstanding on the court and have maintained great academic standing as well.
The Maroons will now represent the Winnipeg School Division in the Provincial Championships to be held in Winnipeg from November 20 to 22. They are currently ranked ninth overall in the province.