The retooled IEM Phoenix Volley Masters staved off the struggling Philippine Army Troopers, 25-22, 23-25, 25-22, 25-14, for their first win in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
IEM relied on newcomer Mark Enciso and captain Greg Dolor to pull them out of tight predicaments in the first and third sets. The Volley Masters’ youth and conditioning played a factor in the fourth frame as they pounced on Army with a 15-7 opening blitz and never looked back.
“Pinaghandaan kasi namin talaga itong first game namin kasi alam namin na kailangan namin nang magandang start this season,” said Dolor, who contributed 11 points.
“May mga miscommunication pa kami, pero kaya namang lutasin ‘yun sa mga susunod na laro,” he added.
San Beda University standout Enciso led IEM with 15 points while while veteran Jeffrey Jimenez added 14.
IEM (1-0) faces PLDT (0-1) on May 16 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Benjaylo Labide continued to pull the Troopers’ offense with 13 points while John Depamaylo added nine.
Army (0-2) hopes to notch their breakthrough win at the expense of armed forces bretheren Philippine Air Force (1-0) on May 19.
The Scores
IEM (3) – Enciso 13, Jimenez 14, Dolor 11, Canlas 6, Gatdula 6, Macalma 6, Castel 5, Sapida 3, Conde 1, Arroyo 0, Cerilles 0, Presnede 0, Almario (L)
Army (1) – Labide 13, Depamaylo J. 9, Torres 8, Villonson 8, Rojas 7, Ramirez 6, Barrica 4, Abdulmajid 1, Reyes 1, Bayking 0, Depamaylo N. 0, Uy (L)
