(NSPC Winning Piece in Sports Writing)

ILAGAN, Isabela—Isabela National High School, behind the remarkable performances of Florante
Carreon and Paul Gonzales, took all the Roxas National High School could offer before hacking out a close
60-59 win in an exhibition game held at St. Ferdinand College Court here, Tuesday.

Carreon scored 21 points to lead Isabela and Gonzales 13 points but delivered this on the crucial part of the
game including the winning free throw.

The game started in a roller-coaster encounter and the first half ended 28-27 with Isabela on the
lead.

The second half was still close and Roxas took the lead with two minutes to go, but Gonzales
displayed a big heart as he connected a three-pointer to give Isabela the lead, 54-53.

Rolly Menor carried Roxas on that decisive moment and tied the game at 59-all with 15 seconds to
go.

Gonzales fished a foul with 10 seconds left and split his charity for the lead, 60-59.

Herman Menor refused to give up but his last desperate jumpshot went in-and-out of the ring.

“Faith carried us through this game, it’s a good game,” said Gonzales after the game.

INHS (60)—Carreon 21, Gonzales, 13, Magusib, 12, Mercado 6, Aguinaldo 4, Martinez 2,
Cabanlong 2, Ong 0, Lim 0, Gumaru 0.

RNHS (59)—Menor 22, Balagan 18, Malaca 12, Soriano 7, Allavigan 0, gonzaga 0, Advincula 0,
Limbauan 0, Galapon 0.
 High School boost to supremacy,
spikes College down

DCT High School Varsitarians squandered an early 6-point lead but regrouped and beat out the DCT
College Volleyball Team in a pulsating finish, 25-22, 25-22, in their Volleyball Exhibition Game at the
Dominican College of Tarlac, October 28.

Veteran Captain Alexis Martinez of the Varsitarians, a former player of the University of Illinois fired 8
spikes including 6 in the second set with 5 kills and 4 blocks to lead his team to an overwhelming
triumph.

Varsitarians blew away a strong start but caught in the second wind enabling them to trail by 4 points
in the middle going of the first set, but they brought back their rhythm and made an elusive run to
snatch the set, 25-22.

DCT College tried to clinch the win in the second set to bring the match to the decisive set and fold the
upset the Varsitarians gave them in the first set, but the Varsitarians are too tough and give DCT College
a hard time.

Thrilling change of spikes occurred in the middle going of the second set which made the match
unpredictable, but the Varsitarians boost up with desperation to finish the match. The ended it up with
an astonishing spike by Martinez, 25-22.

“Spike! Spike! Spike! I think our team won because of our spikes, and of course, teamwork,” said Alexis
Martinez in Tagalog.

“A little more practice. The performance my team showed didn’t satisfy me even though we won. We
will start to focus ourselves in trainings after this,” said Varsitarian coach Renel Samson in Tagalog.
After winning the match, the DCT High School Varsitarians will train for the forthcoming Provincial
Athletic Meet this November.

[2nd Place in Sports Writing English (Secondary) Category- Division Schools Press Conference 2009
(Tarlac Province) ]