Alpha Insurance clinched its first victory in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, sweeping a depleted PGJC-Navy squad, 25-21, 26-24, 25-19, to wrap up the first round on a high note, Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The young Protectors capitalized on the Sealions’ manpower shortage to break into the win column after five games.
They now create a three-way tie with their opponents and VNS-Laticrete for fourth place — each carrying a 1-4 record in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
“Fortunately, makikita naman natin na kulang talaga ‘yung Navy. Merong mga players na hindi nakalaro gawa ng schooling nila sa trabaho,” said Alpha Insurance head coach Mike Santos, who previously served as Navy’s interim head coach during last year’s Invitational Conference.
“Siguro ‘yung panalo namin gawa na lang ng experience sa past games namin — lumaban kami sa Cignal, lumaban kami sa Criss Cross, we almost made it sa Savouge, lumaban kami sa VNS,” he added.
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Vincent Nadera led the charge for the Protectors, scoring 17 points on 15 attacks and two kill blocks. Edward Camponsano and JJ Javelona contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively, while also tallying 11 excellent receptions each.
Setter Jerome Lopez orchestrated the offense with 16 excellent sets in the one-hour, 23-minute match.
Libero Neil Manato anchored the floor defense with 11 excellent digs.
With the breakthrough win, Alpha Insurance aims to build momentum as it faces Criss Cross on Sunday at 1:00 PM at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
Meanwhile, Navy suffered a major setback in its Open Conference campaign. Key veterans Greg Dolor, Omar Lioc, and Marvin Hairami were pulled from the team to undergo training for their respective promotions.
The Sealions also lost Joeven Dela Vega, who has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament due to an undisclosed illness.
In their absence, John Ashley Jacob stepped up with 10 points, nine coming from attacks, while Jeric Carangian and Peter Quiel added eight and seven points, respectively.
However, their efforts weren’t enough to prevent Navy from suffering its fourth loss of the tournament.
The Sealions remain hopeful that Dolor and company will return in the latter part of the competition.
In the meantime, they will look to end their two-game skid when they open the second round against Savouge on Sunday at 6:00 PM.
