¡EL CO-LE-GIO! These were the words that rumbled this past Thursday, November 12 at the Mangual coliseum while our Juanas and Tarzanes won the LAI’s (Liga Interamericana Universitaria) volleyball quarterfinals and placed themselves in the semifinals. It was an intense game, but both our teams were up for the challenge and came back stronger than ever to show the colegiales filled with Sangre Verde how ready and determined they are for this volleyball season.
At 6:30 p.m. Las Juanas played against Las Vaqueras from UPR Bayamón. Ours won an easy victory, as they dominated all three sets. The crowd rooted with great joy and enthusiasm, celebrating the Juanas‘ step to the semifinals.
To top the women’s win, as our Tarzanes, and current CAAMpeones of the LAI, made their entrance to the court, the Mangual coliseum overflowed with excited chants from colegiales, which grew even louder as they sang “Mañana por la mañana, llena tu casa de flores, que seguro te visita El Colegio CAAMpeones” to the beat of pleneras, trumpets, and applause. Both the team and the crowd were ready for an exhilarating game against one of Colegio’s long-time rivals, the Interamerican University’s Tigres.
The game started at 8:30 p.m. and our Tarzanes kicked it off winning that first set, confident, determined and with their minds and hearts set on the game. The second set was very exciting because it was constantly tied, making the crowd root louder, supporting the Tarzanes and showing them they were there for them no matter what. The Tigres won the set but that was no obstacle for the Tarzanes who, on the third set, came out stronger stronger and won. By the fourth set, everyone was standing up and shouting “¡EL CO-LE-GIO!” as loud as they could, while the cheerleaders were on each side of the court helping the crowd grow even more motivated. Just like the second set, this one was constantly tied but our Tarzanes gave it all to win in our beloved Colegio. A massive amount of colegiales sang the Colegio alma mater, cheered at the top of their lungs, and ran to the court to celebrate alongside our CAAMpeones the victory that will now lead them to the semifinals, to be played Monday and Wednesday of this upcoming week.
After the big win, Jancarlos Negrón, player #11, expressed his satisfaction with the effort given during his four years on the team. “It was a win or go home, I had to give it all, and I accomplished what I wanted which was to win and make it to the semifinals.” He also shared how he feels confident about the team and the semifinals, “It’s about giving it all your heart and your sangre verde, to demonstrate the pride of being colegial.”
Orlando Delgado, team captain, shared the contentment towards accomplishing the team’s goal, and also expressed his apologies to the fans for last Monday’s downfall. “We all saw teamwork in which the rookies alongside us veterans achieved victory just like a true team should,” he expressed, “we did it to the level of colegiales.”
It was definitely a euphoric game for both the teams. Our Tarzanes and Juanas demonstrated their passion for the sport and the thrill of being a true colegial. The Sangre Verde spirit was really strong this past Thursday, we all supported and celebrated for our teams’ accomplishments like the big colegial family that we are.
Photo Credits: Huella Deportiva Facebook Page