The ABCamp girls volleyball team left Monday evening right after the members had their exams and the send-off at the Baguio City Hall earlier in the morning.
“We are already here in Pudtol, Apayao after leaving last night in time for tomorrow’s start of the games,” coach Sherry Ann Floresca told this writer via private message.
The kids had their examinations the whole day with half in the morning and the rest in the afternoon. “That is why only six joined the Monday flag raising ceremony and send off,” said Floresca.
The event Pudtol which is becoming the most active in volleyball promotions in the region after Baguio and source of many players at the University of the Colleges will run until Sunday and where Floresca hopes that they could continue weaving their magic.
The Apayao foray is one of the many several events the UC High School girls volleyball team coach Floresca has entered the ABCamp as she hopes to expose the players in more events that could improve their game.
Despite the pandemic, the team has been successful which Floresca showed city officials Monday during the flag ceremony and the ensuing executive – legislative meeting breakfast where their hauls during the past months were shown.
These included trophies from the National Volleyball Preparatory Championship held in Kalibo, Aklan last April 18 to 22 where they finished second runner-up, the Youth Community Service Club games last April 1 and 2 which they won and the Baguio Summer Vacation last June 19-20 where they also emerged as champion.
In the same event, members of the team where captain Lizette Abad was the best open spiker, Bianca Camatayan as finals most valuable player, Hanzel Mae Antolin as best libero and the mythical six had Abigail Cunanan as best setter, Sherry Mae Estal as best middle blocker and Floresca as best coach.
During the YCSC, the team composed of 19 year olds and younger beat the former Baguio Benguet Educational Athletic League champion, the Baguio College of Technology Lady Atoms in a five set thriller, 25-16, 25-22, 22-25, 21-25, 15-13.
During the SumVac, ABCamp blasted Paranque in straight sets, 25-8, 25-22, 25-13.
Last June 15, Floresca received the Gintong Gawad Awards for Proyektong Isports Pangkababaihan from the Philippine Sports Commission in ceremonies held in Subic, Olongapo City/
ABCamp was started in June 12, 2017 as a training camp for first time players of the game, among them were Antolin, who was then a second year student.
Founded by Floresca, her fellow players from the UC Lady Jaguars Cindy Benitez and Michelle Remo , their former coach Yul Benosa and a sports journo, ABCamp means ABC or basics, camp as a place to learn and amp is for betterment.
“Through ABCamp, our players really improved a lot and it is now our vehicle to play outside of Baguio,” said Floresca, who played as a setter in college and now teaches mathematics. Pigeon Lobien / RNG Luzon
THE BEST. Mayor Benjamin Magalong chats with coach Sherry Ann Floresca as councilor Levy Lloys Rillera reads the accomplishment of the ABCamp volleyball team. Pigeon Lobien