3 Stooges win Club Elan V-ball Classic

The shower of power didn’t fizzle from the drizzle yesterday, as the 3 Stooges emerged from the sextet of spikers to take the championship of the 6th Annual Club Elan Christmas Volleyball Classic, which was held in association with Miller Lite.

Despite being rescheduled in the wake of Tropical Storm Noru, the weather eventually found its way to the Hyatt Regency Saipan for the volleyball-athon, but Kitinan Intharaluk, Melissa Halaby, and Andrew Gabaldon of the 3 Stooges were unaffected as they outlasted Papalatung, 9-7, to put a cap on a successful tournament.

The 3 Stooges earned a first-round bye in the double-elimination tournament after cruising through the round robin with wins over Fokkai (11-4) and 2 We Z (11-6). They continued their streak to reach the finals unscathed with wins over Papalatung (11-9) and Fokkai (11-7).

Papalatung went 1-1 in the round robin with a win over Rash Guard (11-8) in their first game, and a loss to Focker in the second (11-4). Papalatung landed the fourth seed as a result, and opened up the double-elimination portion of the tournament with an 11-9 win over 2 We Z, before dropping into the losers’ bracket with an 11-9 loss the 3 Stooges.

Once there, Kaycee Rengaelur, Paul Anthony, and Yosh Gabaldon smoked Rash Guard, 11-3, and eked out a 12-10 victory over 2 We Z before crushing Fokkai 11-3 to advance to the finals for a rematch with the 3 Stooges.

After suffering their first loss in the double-elimination tournament to the 3 Stooges, Papalatung got their revenge in the first game of the championship when they delivered the Stooges their first defeat, 11-9, to force a final seven-point game.

After trailing 6-2 in the race to seven, Papalatung soldiered back to tie the score at six apiece before an Intharaluk spike put an end to the rally. Halaby’s serve came up empty for the 3 Stooges, and Papalatung took a 7-6 lead on the ensuing service by Yosh Gabaldon and spike by Kaycee Rengaelur.

Gabaldon’s next serve brought about a fierce volley that was capped by some inspiring digs by Intharaluk to force another sideout. Intharaluk’s actions provided for a seven-all tie, but the “Thai Bomber” relinquished the service when he sent the yellow, blue, and white Mikasa out of bounds.

As the tempo of the beachside music quickened, so too did that of the 3 Stooges, as they regained service, and took an 8-7 lead. Andrew Gabaldon served up the winning point when Rengaelur’s diving effort for an ill-passed ball failed to save the game.

For their efforts, the 3 Stooges each won a Sunday Brunch for two at Giovanni’s, while tournament MVP Intharaluk was awarded a complimentary night’s stay at the Hyatt Regency Saipan for his outstanding play.

The members of Papalatung each won a 60-minute full body massage at Club Elan for taking second place, while Fokkai players each earned lunch for two at Miako.

Due to a recent injury, Club Elan Spa/recreation manager Faheem Ebrahim was unable to participate in the tournament, along with fellow volleyball maven Tyce Mister. Mister and son Blake were on hand, however, to cheer on wife Angie of Rash Guard.

“It was great. The players enjoyed themselves during the tournament, and the weather cleared up to give them excellent conditions for volleyball,” said Ebrahim.

Ebrahim plans to host another volleyball tournament, and that another court may open up for it at the Hyatt sometime soon to offer a chance for local players to hone their skills before the 13th Annual Marianas Cup next month.

“It’ll be an informal kind of fun for everybody to get together with their teammates before the Marianas Cup, because there’s really nothing going on between now and then in terms of volleyball,” he said.

For further information about Club Elan or future tournaments, contact Ebrahim by calling at 234-1242 ext 27 or via email at febrahim@hyattsaipan.com.