The Philippine Army Troopers solidified their bid for a Premier Volleyball League Open Conference Final Four spot after mincing the Gamboa Coffee Spikers, 25-21, 25-18, 25-19, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Troopers improved their record to 4-3, momentarily securing the fourth seed in semis. The games tomorrow will determine whether there will be a playoff for the fourth and final playoff spot.
“Ganitong intensity siyempre ang hinanap naming coaches sa players especially at ganito ang sitwasyon namin na must-win talaga,” said Army head coach Sgt. Rico De Guzman.
“Ngayon, hintay na lang kami sa mga susunod na mangyayare and paghahandaan talaga namin wheter playoff o semis na ang sunod naming laban.”
Reinforced by members of the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers, the Troopers quickly dismantled the Mapua-powered Coffee Spikers. Army notably recorded a 10-2 block kills gap.
Towering middle blocker Jayvee Sumagaysay was all over the stats sheet, scoring 11 points off six spikes, three blocks, and two aces. Arnold Bautista added nine markers.
NCAA Season 92 Rookie of the Year Alfred Pagulong topped Gamboa Coffee with 11 points, 10 coming off spikes. Sam Damian and Mark Egan each tallied seven markers.
Gamboa Coffee bowed out of their inaugural PVL campaign with a 1-6 record.
The Scores
Army (3) – Sumagaysay 11, Bautista 9, Carodan 7, Medina 7, Abdulmajid 6, Labide 6, Reyes 4, Tajanlangit 4, Torres 1, Depamaylo 0, Bayking (L)
Gamboa Coffee (0) – Pagulong 11, Damian 7, Egan 7, Pertierra 7, Evangelista 3, Hizon 3, Navera 2, Andaya 0, Bagalay 0, Santos 0, Bondoc (L)
