The Philippine Army Troopers outlasted 100 Plus in their first match of the Spikers’ Turf Reinforced Conference 28-26, 25-21, 19-25, 25-18 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Army pulled double-digit from four spikers led by open hitter PJ Rojas’ 19 points followed by Benjaylo Labide’ 14, Joel Villonson’s 12, and Antonio Torres’ 10.
Three-time UAAP champion, Army setter Emilio “Kungfu” Reyes also made a return to competitve volleyball after serving as a coach for University of Santo Tomas’ high school and college programs for the better part of the last decade.
Reyes, Army’s team captain, tossed 28 excellent sets. A utility hitter during his prime, Reyes admits that his game is far from where it used to be.
“Siyempre, hindi na talaga tulad noong kabataan ko. Hindi naman na ganoon kataas ang talon natin ngayon pero, siyempre, susubukan pa din natin dumiskarte,” Reyes, who led UST to UAAP championships in 1999, 2001, and 2003, told Tiebreaker Times.
“Sa totoo lang dapat panggulo lang ako dito, hindi ko lang talaga alam kung bakit ako nagamit. Pero gagawin pa ‘rin natin ang best natin para manalo. Ganoon naman ang mentality kahit player ka o coach.”
Mapua standout Pemi Bagalay towed 100 plus with 22 points off 22 for 43 attacking. Jasper Adorador added 14 while Bagalay’s Mapua teammate Peejay Cuzon talied 10 markers.
Army (1-0) next faces Champion Supra on Saturday, 12:30 pm at the PhilSports Arena. 100 Plus (0-1) takes on IEM (0-1) on Wednesday, October 12, 12:30 pm also at the PhilSports Arena.
The Scores
Army (3) – Rojas 19, Labide 14, Villoson 12, Torres 10, Oxciano 6, Baloaloa 4, Reyes 2, Abdulmajid 1, Depamaylo J. 1, Depmaylo N. 0, Uy (L), Bayking (L)
100 Plus (1) – Bagalay 22, Adorador 14, Cuzon 10, Sarabia 7, Gerella 4, Wada 3, Aureo 0, Lucindo 0, Eugenio (L), Chua (L)
