Alpha Insurance asserted its mastery over short-handed PGJC-Navy, 25-23, 25-21, 25-23, for its second win in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in Pasig City.
The Protectors’ only victory in the first round also came at the expense of the Sealions, edging them out in a tightly contested 25-21, 26-24, 25-19 match to close the opening phase of the tournament.
Coming off a straight-set loss to Criss Cross to start the second round, top guns Edward Camposano, Vincent Nadera, and JJ Javelona rejoined the lineup after sitting out the previous game.
Their return proved pivotal, steering the team to a crucial bounce-back victory that propelled them to solo fourth place with a 2-5 win-loss record.
“Nasunod naman ‘yung plano namin ng mga coaches, nagpahinga ‘yung ibang mga player (last game). At paghandaan ‘yung mga upcoming games katulad nito,” said Alpha Insurance head coach Mike Santos.
“Pinahinga ko na ‘yung mga dapat naming ipahinga (last game), at ayun, kita naman na ready sila this game,” he added.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
The Protectors figured in a tight encounter with Navy throughout, but managed to edge out the veteran-laden squad in all three sets to complete the one-hour, 23-minute triumph.
With the win, they strengthened their campaign for a semifinals slot in the Open Conference backed by Arena Plus and Mikasa.
Javelona and Camposano found themselves in a tightly contested battle with the Sealions in the third set, as both sides traded blows in a back-and-forth exchange. The intensity peaked at 23-all after a powerful backrow attack from John Ashley Jacob.
However, Alpha Insurance held its ground in the closing moments, with Camposano and Nadera stepping up during crunch time. The duo delivered back-to-back points off the block, sealing the hard-earned victory for their team.
Camposano posted a team-high 17 points on 14 attacks, two aces, and one block to go along with 12 excellent receptions. Nadera also chipped in 14 points for the Protectors.
Javelona also contributed on both ends with 10 points and 12 excellent receptions, while JM Apolinario steered the offense with 21 excellent sets.
Alpha Insurance takes on Savouge on Friday, 1:00 PM at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in hopes of solidifying its hold of the fourth spot.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
Meanwhile, Navy slipped to sixth place with a 1-6 record after absorbing its fifth straight defeat.
Jacob paced the Sealions with 17 points, all from attacks, while Peter Quiel and Edsel Menoncia added 11 and nine points, respectively.
Navy looks to end its losing skid when they face off against VNS-Laticrete also on Friday, 3:30 PM.
