LIPA CITY, BATANGAS—MRT Negros scored an emotional victory, knocking out Sabong International in the classification stage of the 2021 PNVF Champions League, 20-25, 25-14, 20-25, 25-21,15-5 to claim the fifth place, Friday the Aquamarine Recreational Center here.
It was a sweet victory for MRT Negros, since it was their debut on the national stage.
“It is an honor to play in this kind of league,” said MRT Negros coach Ralph Savellano. “I’m very proud of my team. The youngest team in this league, at saka first time namin sumali sa ganitong liga. Napakagandang experience sa amin nito.”
The first four sets were nip-and-tuck, with MRT-Negros playing catch-up. Then MRT Negros pulled out all the stops needed in the fourth set to force a decider.
MRT Negros leaned on its superb net defense in the finale, running away via a 14-5 blast to fend off Sabong International.
Ordiales then bagged the game with a running attack.
Christian Marcelino poured a game-high 16 points in the victory. Meanwhile, Leo Ordiales and Matthew Salarzon added 15 apiece for the Negros Occidental-based squad.
It was an emotional victory for the Negrenses, though. They lost Mike Beronio, an aspiring volleyball player in Negros, to a tragic motorcycle accident early this week.
“We dedicate this game sa player namin na nag-pass away last night. Mike Beronio, our aspiring MRT Negros player,” shared Savellano. “Kaya ganun talaga ‘yung dedication namin sa game na ‘to para sa kanya.”
Sabong International, which settled for sixth place, was led by Jelord Talisayan with 16 points.
