The Cignal HD Spikers clinched the second seed while the IEM Volley Masters powered past the erring Philippine Army Troopers in the 2016 Spikers’ Turf Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Cignal kicked the day off with a rousing sweep of the hapless 100 Plus Active Smashers 25-19, 25-14, 25-16.
The HD Spikers had the luxury to field nearly all their active players throughout the match, even getting all their non-liberos to score. Cignal open hitter Saku Capate led all scorers with nine points while utility spiker Ysay Marasigan added eight markers.
Cignal pounded on 100 Plus’ subpar reception, tallying 43 attack points to the Active Smashers’ 22 while also serving four aces.
The HD Spikers secured the second seed in the semifinals with a 4-1 record while 100 Plus ends their campaign without a win.
In the second match, IEM struggled with their attack but Army spotted them enough errors to escape with a five-set victory 25-17, 25-23, 23-25, 22-25, 15-10.
The Troopers pulled more points from their scoring skills but surrendered a whooping 45 errors to IEM’s 22.
National team stalwart Kheeno Franco powered IEM’s offense with 16 markers while his fellow middle hitter Daryl Valenzuela notched 10 points.
Michael Reyes led Army’s three-pronged attack with 18 points while Benjaylo Labide and PJ Rojas each tallied 17 markers.
IEM finished the elims with a 3-2 slate while Army slumped to four straight losses after an opening day win.
The Spikers’ Turf last elimination round match wil be on Wednesday, 12:30 pm at the PhilSports between the undefeated Air Force Airmen and the 2-2 Champion Supra.
First Game:
Cignal (3) – Capate 9, Marasigan 8, Faytaren 6, Ybanez 6, Castel 5, Torres 5, Bonono 4, Calasin 4, Mangulabnan 2, Ramos 2, Diezmo 1, Dela Cruz (L), Montero (L)
100 Plus (0) – Adorador 7, Cuzon 5, Bagalay 4, Ocampo 4, Duran 2, Lucindo 2, Auteo 0, Exconde 0, Gerella 0, Chua (L), Eugenio (L)
Second Game:
IEM (3) – Franco 16, Valenzuela 10, Canlas E. 9, Arbasto 8, Canlas J. 7, Torres 6, Zamora 6, Vecina 2, Conde 1, Cerilles 0, Molate 0, Ramos (L)
Army (2) – Reyes 18, Labide 17, Rojas 17, Torres 9, Depamaylo N. 4, Villonson 4. Baloaloa 3, Depamaylo J. 3, Oxciano 3, Bayking (L), Uy (L)
