That was the real story behind the crowd that watched LA defeat the Dodgers in the championship game of the Provincial Volleyball Tournament: to wit, high-stakes competition requires high-level commitment both on and off the court. LA won, but the huge interest came because the Dodgers were a formidable team that forced the local players to rise to an unprecedented challenge.

This series, which brought a level of attention to the league not seen yet, mirrors the intense pressure that student-athletes face every single day. The Dodgers were an excellent, well-coached team that made LA and Coach Del Mar Aguinaldo play their absolute best in volleyball. This competition did not hurt the local game; it made it better and more exciting. Similarly, rigorous academics do not hurt an athlete’s development; they make them better and more prepared for life.

This series should be a roadmap to academic development for local volleyball associations. It thus also needs a strong opposing force. Strong coursework challenges act as a powerful testing tool for young players. For talented players such as Avron King De Luna and Christian Torres, it helps them learn the ways to handle pressure, strategize, and perform under duress. These skills are important not only for the home team representative, but for succeeding in school as well.

If schools and sport programs are going to continue to grow and produce quality individuals, old rivalries and traditions cannot be the sole dependents. They must regularly be inviting in high-quality academic standards and support systems that set clear rules regarding student eligibility and academic performance.

Ultimately, the goal is not just to win games but to develop well-rounded individuals. The skills learned through balancing rigorous training with tough academic standards—including resilience, teamwork, and leadership—are the real long-term prizes that will prepare these young athletes for success in college and their future careers, long after their days on the volleyball court are over.

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