After a grueling first three matches, the Champion Infinity Active Smashers walloped the floundering IEM Volley Masters in straight sets, 25-19, 25-23, 25-20 in the inaugural season of the Spiker’s Turf at the San Juan Arena.
Champion’s outside hitters, Joven Camaganakan and Myco Antonio delivered the big numbers in their second win in four games as the pair had identical 14-point outings. IEM’s game-high 25 errors played a huge role in their demise as Champion was frugal with their errors, giving up only 19.
IEM was in the zone early in the match as they took a 11-9 advantage. An extended stint at the service line for Champion team captain, Rocky Honrade swung the momentum in Champion’s favor as they rattled off six straight points, burying IEM in a hole they couldn’t dig themselves out of.
Both teams struggled to pull away from each other in the second set as neither seemed to get the digs or blocks necessary to extend their lead. IEM seemed to have control late in the frame as they held a 23-23 advantage. From there, Champion notched a clutch a 3-0 run highlighted by back-to-back down the line attacks from Joven Camaganakan.
Déjà vu creeped in the final set for IEM, for it was the serves of Rocky Honrade that allowed Champion Infinity to take hold of the final set. Leading 12-11, IEM’s back line couldn’t figure out how to properly receive Honrade’s serves leading to free balls and errors that powered a 5-0 Champion rampage that gave them the lead for good.
FEU product, Carl Dela Calzada, led IEM with 11 markers while UP’s Evan Raymundo paced him with 10 markers.
IEM’s quest for their first win presents Air Force as their next challenge on April 23. Champion has PLDT on April 26.
The Scores:
Champion (3) РCamaganakan 14, Antonio 14, Laja 8, Espiritu 5, Honrade 4, Relata 3, Tonquin 2, Gomez 0, Mandani 0, Hu (L), Ba̱aga (L)
IEM (0) – Dela Calzada 11, Raymundo 10, Canlas 7, Jimenez 7, Conde 2, Beliran 2, Bacolod 2, Timbal 1, Gianan 1, Banang 0, Almario (L)
