Pikan Gaga still undefeated

Just as the She Devils and the Dragons were inching closer to them in the standings, the unmatched Pikan Gaga pulled away again on Tuesday night to improve their record to 7-0 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium in the continuation of the women’s division of the Island Wide Volleyball League.

Everyone of the Gaga girls had a hand in the one-sided 25-13, 25-18 victory over the youngsters from T-8, as Percy Torres, Vanessa Mobel, Nadia Saralu, Lorna Iginoef, Connie Camacho, and Bego Camacho worked together to extend their streak.

Torres was a serving machine, as “The Percinator” racked up six aces and a kill on the night, while Mobel scored two kills and five aces. Connie Camacho turned in another solid performance with three kills and three aces, while Iginoef recorded one of each.

The league’s top team has tended to take a play off here and there, but that is probably a result of all of the success that Pikan Gaga has been experiencing. They have been on a roll since the first night of the season when they beat T-8 in two sets, and have lost only one set since, but the schedule will be a bit tougher when they return to the courts next week.

Pikan Gaga will first face the She Devils (4-2) next Tuesday at 6:30pm, and face the Dragons (5-1) two days later on Thursday, Jan. 13, at 7:30pm. In their last match-ups, the games were extremely close, and a first-place finish in the women’s league regular season for Gaga will most likely hinge on the outcome of these two games.

T-8 may not be playing for first place, but Roquita Norita, Zena Sablan, Jen Teigita, Becky Repeki, Jessica Mangarero, Janet Omar, Tina Kalen, and Hannahleiy Ogarto have been improving under the watchful eye of Jovie Omar, and may be a force to be reckoned with in the near future.

The next challenge for the youngsters comes next Tuesday, Jan. 11, when they face the Hitters (1-6) at 7:30pm.

After suffering a loss to the Dragons last week, the She Devils bounced back on Tuesday night to win their fourth game over Haz Been (1-5), 25-19, 25-10. The She Devils continued their solid play led by Mayumi Aguon and her three kills and five aces, and look to get even with Pikan Gaga next week.

Haz Been has seen some better days, as they dropped their fifth game of the season. They look to turn things around next week when they look for an upset over the Dragons tonight at 6:30pm.

On the men’s side of the court, Shag (4-1) and the Chuukanos (2-3) notched another win in their respective belts, but they came in some of the closest games of the season.

Nothing has come easy for the Chuukanos, and Tuesday night featured more of the same, as they dropped the first set to the Ol’ Aces 25-22. J-Luck Takoichu and company rallied back to take the second set 25-20—forcing a third set race to 15 points.

After several fierce volleys, which showcased some inspiring play, Takoichu delivered the kill that gave the Chuukanos the winning point, and their second victory of the season by a 15-13 score.

The Chuukanos return to the Ada gym next Tuesday, Jan.11 at 7:30pm to challenge the Lost Boyz (5-0), while the Ol’ Aces look to finish strong tonight at 7:30pm against the Managaha Chiefs (4-1).

The late game in the men’s division was much closer than anticipated, as Shag (4-1) eked out a narrow victory over the Monarchs (0-5) in two sets, 25-22 and 26-24. Mike Olaitoman, Val Taisakan, and company couldn’t shake Billy Rodrigis and the boys, as the Monarchs stayed with Shag every point of the way until the very end.

Shag faces No Fear (4-1) next Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 7:30pm, while the Monarchs continue to reach for their first win against the fearless on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at 7:30pm.