Lethal Arachnids’ bid for Finals in Men’s VBall end at Semis

By Rona Marie Julaica Alison

The CASS Lethal Arachnids’ attempt for a final push to secure a spot in the finals fell short during the PALAKASAN Men’s Volleyball semifinals against the CED Czarina Phoenixes on April 24 at the IDS Multi-Purpose Hall.

Hoping for a comeback after losing to the COE Flaming Dragons in the upper bracket’s semifinals game last April 20, the CASS Lethal Arachnids were unfortunately unable to turn the tide in their match against the CED Czarina Phoenixes, who proved too strong as they struggled to contain their offensive firepower.

The first set was an intense fight, with both teams going neck-and-neck, leaving the audience thrilled with each serve and spike. The Lethal Arachnids put up a good fight against the Czarina Phoenixes but ended up falling behind with a score of 25-23 during the first set. CED maintained their momentum during the second set, eventually securing another win with a score of 25-16, propelling them to advance to the finals.

In an interview with CASSayuran, CASS Head Coach Luigi Almodiel expressed his desire for greater achievements from the team, emphasizing that he had expected more, especially given their level of preparation compared to previous batches.

However, despite not advancing to the finals, Almodiel remains hopeful for future tournaments. “I’m glad that we are still on the podium, but hopefully, when the time comes, the same batch of players [will] actually bring back CASS to the finals,” he highlighted.

Meanwhile, Daniel Yurong, one of the CASS players, reflected on the value of the team’s experience, particularly for the newer members. While acknowledging some shortcomings with first balls and errors, Yurong emphasized the team’s collective effort in delivering a competitive performance. 

“As a team gibuhat namo kung unsa among gusto na ipakita na chada ang dula and chada ang outcome sa dula,” he stated. Expressing gratitude, Yurong extended thanks to the people that supported them, including the CASS-EC, the CASS cheering committee, and especially their friends who, according to him, never missed any of their games. Looking ahead, Yurong expressed optimism for the team’s future games, hoping they can continue their fight in securing a spot in the championships.