Relying on clutch hitting from captain Greg Dolor, the IEM Phoenix Volley Masters eked out a tight five-set win over the PLDT Home Fibr Fast Hitters, 14-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 15-12, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
FEU standout Dolor finished with 22 points, including three crucial hits late in the fifth set that allowed IEM to pull away.
Dolor lauded his team’s no-quit attitude that was key to digging themselves out of a 1-2 sets deficit.
“Wala lang talagang sumuko sa amin,” he said. “Kumapit lang kami at nagtiwala sa isa’t isa. Alam namin kung gaano ka-importante lahat ng games sa liga na ‘to. Sana, magtuloy-tuloy lang kaming ganito.”
San Beda University product Mark Enciso and veteran Jeffrey Jimenez each provided 14 points for IEM.
Mark Alfafara topped PLDT with 21 markers, while captain Johnvic De Guzman and Henry Pecaña added 15 points, apiece.
The Volley Masters (2-0) take on Vice. Co (1-1) next Wednesday at Baliwag. PLDT (0-2) face Cignal (1-0) on Sunday at Batangas.
The Scores
IEM (3) – Dolor 22, Enciso 14, Jimenez 14, Presenede 9, Gatdula 6, Macalma 4, Cerilles 2, Canlas 1, Sapida 1, Castel 0, Timbal 0, Almario (L)
PLDT (2) – Alfafara 21, De Guzman 15, Pecaña 15, Sumagaysay 10, Franco 6, Dela Vega 4, Ilano 3, Villegas 3, Galang 0, Vecina 0, Melgar (L)
