Alpha Insurance is hitting its stride at the right time, extending its winning streak to three games in just five days after sweeping 3B, 25-16, 25-20, 25-22, to strengthen its bid for a semifinals berth in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Sunday at the Filoil Centre.
After stumbling to back-to-back losses against National University-Archipelago Builders and Criss Cross, the Protectors have bounced back emphatically, climbing to fourth place in the standings with a 4-2 record.
Alpha Insurance kick-started its resurgence with a 25-19, 25-22, 25-20 sweep of AEP-Cabstars last Wednesday before following it up with another straight-sets victory over the Armed Forces of the Philippines, 25-19, 25-21, 25-15, on Thursday. The Protectors capped their impressive stretch with Sunday’s triumph over the Event Masters.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“Siguro, it’s time to give credit sa coaching staff namin, lalo na sa strength and conditioning coach namin, kasi maganda ‘yung binigay niyang program para masustain ng mga bata ‘yung ganitong klase ng schedule,” said Alpha Insurance head coach Mike Santos.
“Papunta pa rin kami sa magagandang laban, so I think itutuloy lang namin kung ano ‘yung nasimulan na namin,” he added.
The Protectors’ defensive effort proved crucial in the victory, finishing with 14 kill blocks led by Jetlee Gopio’s six. Lance De Castro also anchored the floor defense with 10 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions to help contain 3B’s attack.
“I’m very happy with the performance of the team and of course meron pa kaming kayang ibigay. I think it’s a test of character especially in our upcoming games, so kahit anong mangyari, pipilitin namin lumabas ‘yung mga kaya pa naming ilabas,” said De Castro.
Reymark Betco spearheaded Alpha Insurance’s offense with 10 points despite playing only in the final two sets, while Gopio contributed nine markers.
Vince Himzon and Axel Van Book chipped in six points apiece, while Rocky Motol added five. Ronn Domingo also provided a spark off the bench, tallying 10 excellent sets after taking over the playmaking duties from EJ Casana in the third set.
The Protectors will look to extend their winning streak to four games when they face VNS-Laticrete on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the same venue.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
On the other hand, 3B continued to struggle, absorbing its third consecutive defeat to drop to a 1-4 record in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Harry Ocay emerged as the lone bright spot for the Event Masters, finishing with 13 points.
3B will look to snap its losing streak against Far Eastern University-DN Steel on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
