Looking to defend their Reinforced Conference title, Bryan Bagunas and the Go For Gold-Air Force Jet Spikers were off to a strong start against Marck Espejo and the upset-seeking Cignal HD Spikers, Friday evening.
For Bagunas, Cignal played more aggressive than his squad in the second frame and rode the crest of its momentum to bag the following sets. Everything was made possible though, by their fine play on the receiving end of the court.
“Para sa akin, mas naging aggressive sila nung second set and sila yung mas nakapagcontrol ng laro,” said Bagunas, following their four-set loss against Cignal. “Talagang kahit anong gawin nila nakakareceive sila ng maayos, nakakapag set play sila ng maayos so sa blockings talaga kami nagkulang kaya ganon.
“Yung receives nila na control nila kaya na control din nila yung laro.”
Cignal netted 49 excellent receptions while also gathering 19 digs to form its formidable defense, wasting Bagunas’ 17-point, 19-reception game. The well-received attacks by the HD Spikers also paved the way for top playmaker Vince Mangulabnan to steer their offense to greater heights.
“Sila yung mas nakapag control talaga, sila yung nakareceive ng maayos kasi kasi kahit anong gawin ni kuya Vince talaga, nakatayo lang talaga siya doon sa setter position e,” Bagunas said about his fellow NU Bulldog.
“Talagang siya na lang yung gagawa ng diskarte, doon lang nagkatalo sa reception.”
With the opposition flaunting their stellar performance on the defensive end, Bagunas and the rest of the Jet Spikers will be putting a premium on their services in order to pierce through Cignal’s wall.
“Siguro, kakargahan namin yung mga service kasi sila yung nakareceive e.
“Yung blockings namin kailangan talaga naming makapag-adjust kasi eleven sila tapos four lang kami, yun yung kailangan naming paghandaan sa next game,” said Bagunas.
The Jet Spikers will try to extend the series on Sunday at 7:00 P.M.
