FILE — California Precision in the PNVF Champions League. PNVF PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–California Precision Sports finally scored its first win Tuesday, but its teenaged players claimed it wasn’t as sweet compared to the matches they previously lost.
Sixteen-year-old Casiey Dongallo uncorked 25 points in CPS’s 25-14, 23-25, 25-11, 25-12 triumph over Baguio Highlanders in the PNVF Champions League women’s championship at Aquamarine Recreation Center.
“It’s good that we won but they (Highlanders) won a set over us. It lacked the thrill,” said Dongallo one of the top scorers of the tournament. CPS improved to 1-3, while Baguio slumped to 4-0.
“I think we played better in the previous games against F2 Logistics and Chery Tiggo than today against Baguio,” said 17-year-old Jelaica Gajero who accounted for 16 markers.
Dongallo and Gajero caught the attention of the top pro players here including F2 Logistics and national team captain Aby Marano.
“We are starstruck by all of them,” said Gajero. “But we don’t want to show it. We don’t want to be called the young girls. So we tried to level up with them during the matches.
Team captain Kizzie Madriaga, who made 19 excellent sets, said they are learning a lot in their experience in this short tourney in terms of exposure and experience.
“Physically we can work on that, but the important thing is to develop mental toughness,” said Madriaga. “So instead of getting intimidated by the pro players we used it as inspiration to play even harder.”
CPS is being groomed to form part of the national youth team which is handled by veteran coach Jerry Yee.