The IEM Phoenix Volley Masters needed all the effort their high-powered offense could muster to rally past the Sta. Elena Wrecking Balls in a four-set classic, 22-25, 25-23, 28-26, 25-22, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
IEM pulled double-digit performances four hitters, highlighted by Greg Dolor’s career-high 28 points. NCBA twin towers Daryl Valenzuela and Ferdian Guanzon provided 15 and 14 markers, respectively..
“They are starting to understand the system of playing as one team at all times,” said IEM head coach Ernesto Balubar, who rued his team’s individualistic play in their opening day loss to Army.
“It should be a total team effort na nakita mo na kanina. They understand the importance of every action sa loob ng court.”
An opening set loss gave the Volley Masters the impetus to drive home back-to-back, close set wins. The fourth set dragged all the way into a 20-all tie, which IEM broke out of thanks to consecutive blocks that gave them match point, 24-20. Dolor ended the set with a quick hit.
The Volley Masters drove in 12 block kills, eight more than Sta. Elena.
IEM evened their record at 1-1. They face defending champions Air Force on Saturday.
University of the East standout Edward Camposano topped Sta. Elena with 22 markers.
Sta. Elen dropped to 1-2 and they will face Cignal on May 25.
The Scores
IEM (3) – Dolor 28, Valenzuela 15, Guanzon 14, Presnede 11, Arroyo 4, Conde 2, Ordoñez 1, Canlas 0, Cerilles 0, Gatdula 0, Melgar (L)
Sta. Elena (1) – Camposano 22, Paglinawan 8, Rosete 8, Arda 5, Mandani 5, Enciso 4, Camaganakan 4, Raymundo 3, Asia 1, Encina 1, Deximo 0, Mendiolla (L)
