The Philippine Air Force Airmen strutted their dominance anew after completing another sweep of rivals Cignal HD Spikers, taking Game Two to clinch the Spikers’ Turf Reinforced Championship 20-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-22 at the PhilSports Arena.
After losing the Reinforced crown last year to Cignal, Air Force retaliated with convincing sweeps in the past two championship series.
After dropping the first set, Air Force settled in and took control of the next four sets right from the first point. According to Air Force head coach Rhovyl Verayo, his team battled nerves to start the match.
“Gigil maglaro noong una (‘yung players). Parang lahat ng bolang itaas, gustong basagin. Ang sabi ko sa kanila, tayo ‘yung lamang ng isang game kaya dapat relax lang tayo. Kahit matalo tayo dito, may isang game pa. Buti na lang naka-recover kami agad,” he said.
Air Force had lost just one match this season, their final match of the elimination round against Champion Supra.
Named Finals MVP after the match, Bryan Bagunas tallied 27 points on 24 for 38 attacking while former Spikers’ Turf MVP Mark Alfafara provided 21 markers.
The incoming third-year National University Bulldog, Bagunas was seldom used at the start of the season. It was not until the semifinals that he started a match.
“Sa ensayo naman, siya (Bagunas) talaga ‘yung ginagamit ko sa first six. Gusto ko lang sana itago hanggang Finals para may hugot kami. Maganda naman talaga nilalaro noong bata,” Verayo expresed.
Ateneo standout Ysay Marasigan provided 18 points for the HD Spikers while the conference’s Second Best Open Hitter Saku Capate added 13.
In the bronze medal series, Champion Supra finished their own sweep, squeaking past the IEM Volley Masters 27-25, 26-28, 25-15, 23-25, 15-11.
Joen Camaganakan led Champion with 21 points while Arjay Onia added 20.
JP Torres towed IEM with a season-high 25 markers.
The Scores
Air Force (3) – Bagunas 27, Alfafara 21, Fuentes 7, Mojica 7, Malabanan 5, Lopez 2, Avila 0, De Ocampo 0, Labrador 0, Chavez (L)
Cignal (1) – Marasigan 18, Capate 13, Bonono 11, Torres 8, Ramos 5, Ybanez 3, Diezmo 1, Woo 1, Calasin 0, Mangulabnan 0, Montero (L)
