The Champion Infinity Active Smashers went away victorious over Fourbees-Cavite Patriots in four sets, 25-21, 25-13, 23-25, and 25-19, in the Spikers’ Turf Season One Open Conference, Sunday evening at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Patriots started well in the first set, but the Active Smashers regained momentum to lead, 18-15, after a down-the-line hit from Joven Camaganakan. The Patriots, after a set of attacks, closed within one, 20-19, but could not sustain their rhythm as Champion Infinity reached set point, 24-20, after a quick attack from Roland Tonquin. A checkball from Richard Gomez gave the Active Smashers a 1-0 advantage, 25-21.
Champion Infinity played great volleyball in the second set, relying on their tough net defense and attacks to post a huge 20-9 lead. The Active Smashers outscored the Patriots 5-3 down the stretch to snatch the second set, 25-13.
Things turned out different for Champion Infinity as they trailed at the start and for most of the third, which opened chances for Fourbees-Cavite to capitalize on. From a 20-16 deficit, the Active Smashers closed within one, 24-23, trying to send the set into a deuce, but a service error from Nestor Molate sent the match to a fourth set, 25-23.
Come the fourth and final set, Champion Infinity never looked back as they gained the upper hand in most of the frame. From a slim 17-14 cushion, the Active Smashers cruised to a 20-15 lead after a Mark Lee checkball. Champion Infinity scored five more points towards the end to prevail over the Patriots in four, 25-19.
The towering Sylvester Honrade topscored for the Active Smashers with 15 points off 12 attacks, 2 blocks, and a service ace. Michael Antonio had 11 attacks to go with 13 points. Lee and Camaganakan had 12 and 10, respectively. Berwin Coming had 17 to lead Fourbees-Cavite.
The scores:
Champion Infinity (3) – Honrade 15, Antonio 13, Lee 12, Camaganakan 10, Molate 8, Mandani 7, Laja 6, Gomez 4, Tonquin 3, Relata 2.
Fourbees-Cavite (1) – Coming 17, Ytorzaita 10, Abcede 7, Ramos 5, Catipay 4, Doliente 4, David 3, Sioson 2.
