IT was a back-to-back win for the Men’s and Women’s Volleyball teams of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), named Overall Champions in the Government Corporation Athletics Association (GCAA) 2016 Volleyball Tournament held recently at the GSIS Gymnasium in Pasay City.

The women’s team scored a record eight (8) wins and zero losses in the elimination rounds, with two (2) wins and zero losses in the semi-final round. On the other hand, the men’s team had five (5) wins and zero losses in the elimination rounds, and had two (2) wins and zero losses in the semi-finals.

“Ang bawat player ay nakikitaan namin ng attitude na gustong manalo, kaya naman buong-buo ang kumpyansa namin na makuha ang championship title ngayong taon,” said OIC-Vice President of Corporate Affairs Group, Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas.

The women’s volleyball team beat defending champion Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) with straight sets of 25-10, 25-13, 25-13. By the end of the tournament, PhilHealth was hailed as the 2016 champion in GCAA Volleyball Women’s division tournament.

Liezl Manatad scattered 13 attacks and five (5) service aces worth 18 points, putting PhilHealth in the lead, while May Sheila Agton had 13 points through powerful spikes. Dina Vergara added five (5) and setter Mylin Que dished out 30 sets to bring PhilHealth on the road to championship.

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On the other hand the men’s volleyball team gave the Social Security System (SSS) a hard time defending their championship title in five sets 14-25, 25-21, 25-20, 22-25 and 7-15. At the end of the game PhilHealth became the 1st runner-up of 2016 GCAA Volleyball Men’s division tournament.

Meleessa Gumapac, PhilHealth Volleyball Coordinator, said, “isang matamis na tagumpay ito para sa amin dahil nagbunga ang pagod at paghihirap ng bawat isa sa practice.”

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The annual volleyball competition brought together other government agencies such as Land Bank of the Philippines, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), PRA, National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

It was a tough journey toward the end of this game but after nine (9) years, the PhilHealth team finally made a successful comeback to the leaderboards. More importantly, the team members were able to demonstrate camaraderie, teamwork, and sportsmanship in the volleyball courts. (END) (Dianna Marie S. Chua)