KUWAIT CITY : After a break of nearly four months in the 6th Filipino Women’s Volleyball League (FWVL) championship – because of some health problems which were being experienced by the head of organization, Demos Arienda — action returned to the Bayan Bilingual School in Jabriya, Friday with two matches which provided the spectators all the thrills and fun that they had been missing for quite a while. During these matches, M & M were in full battle gear to overcome Frost Real Estate in 3 very well fought sets (23-25, 25-18, 25-17) while the well-oiled Defending Champions Pag-Ibig Overseas Program overwhelmed Filipino Nurses (25-13, 25-9) and the Honey Lemon squad won by default against a Selection squad . With these games, the organisers continued with the championship which had been postponed after completion of the first round and a few matches of the second round.

M & M vs Frost Real Estate
The 1st set of the match saw Frost Real Estate all warmed up and ready for the action that had been missing as they surprised their rivals with some aces.
Although Frost Real Estate dominated the set, things were not very easy for them as Myra Chico of M & M was back on the courts to display her skills. But it seems M&M were not still warmed and saw themselves down by 2 points 23-25.
It was not long before the players of M & M got into their grove and had their opponents on the run . M & M soon shifted to a higher level of energy and although it’s been quite a long period since there were no volley games but both the sides showed a lot of passion for the sport.
Soon M & M’s Sheila Moreno was displaying her volleyball skills and along with spikes by Maricar Bilason they surprised their rivals by 7 points in the 2nd set 25-18 to get back into the match by levelling the scores 1-1.

The final set brought a lot of cheers from the supporters of FWVL, as M & M put their best foot forward to control the game with the combined efforts of Jade, Maricel and Jane who never let their opponents off the hook before the latter surrendered by 8 points 25-17 to concede not only the set but also the match. This was the first win for M & M in the second round as they had lost their first game before the postponement of the event. With this performance shown on Friday, all the teams should keep a close eye on M & M. Best Player of the Game was Sheila Moreno of M & M team.

Pag-Ibig Overseas vs Filipino Nurses
Defending Champions Pag-Ibig Overseas Program proved that they have not lost any of their skills nor have they allowed them to rust when they wasted no time to brush aside Filipino Nurses in two easy sets (25-13, 25-9).
The initial set of the match saw some solid spikes from Gemma Tante and nice and easy over-the-net placings by Shy Teves for the defending champions which did not leave any space for their opponents to play their own game or move ahead.
Although Apol from Filipino Nurses displayed a lot of enthusiasm in the game and exerted a lot effort, it was quite a difficult task because the defending champions refused to show any mercy and went ahead with their task as a well-oiled machine.

Pag-Ibig Overseas were not at any point complacent although they took things easy as they looked for enjoyment the game. In the 2nd set it was very much visible that they did not seem to exert their full efforts as they were winning with ease and had the confidence that they could tame their rivals easily.
The Filipino Nurses nearly took advantage of this relaxed atmosphere and seemed to recover and close in but the defending champions again pressed the accelerator to run away with easy 21-9.
Pag-Ibig Overseas Program Best Player of the Game was former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Gemma Tante.
Demos Areinda convey his warm appreciations to all his supporters and friends for their untiring support and prayers. He also announced that all FWVL and FBL games will continue on Aug 15, 2008 at the same venue.

2nd Round Standings
 GP W L
Honey Lemon 2 2 0
Pag-Ibig Overseas 2 2 0
M & M 2 1 1
Filipino Nurses 2 1 1
Frost Real Estate 2 0 2
Selection 2 0 2
1st Round Standings
 GP W L
Honey Lemon 5 5 0
Pag-Ibig Overseas 5 4 1
M & M 5 2 3
Selection 5 2 3
Frost Real Estate 6 1 5
Filipino Nurses 6 1 5
FWVL would like to thank their sponsor Western Union Money Transfer.

By Jose Gabriel
Special to the Arab Times