Behind FEU Tamaraw Greg Dolor, the Insituto Estetico Manila Volley Masters were able to stave-off the Philippine Navy Sailors in three close sets, 25-22, 25-22, 27-25, to open the 2016 Season of the Spikers Turf.
Dolor led IEM with 18 points, 12 from spikers and six coming from blocks. Jeffrey Jimenez added seven markers for the Volley Masters.
“Si Greg Dolor at yung mga setters ko nag-step up,” IEM head coach Ernesto Balubar said about his new recruit. “Magkakilala naman sila kaya hindi naging mahirap yung gelling. Madali silang nakabuo ng comradery.”
The first two sets were close as both teams exchanged leads.
During the first set, both teams were tied at 22-all before Dolor sparked a 3-0 rally to end the set. While in the second set, the Volley Masters had to rally back from being down, 19-21.
Jason Canlas’ blocking and an off-speed by Karl Delacalzada tied the game at 21-all to shift the momentum. A block by Erickson Ramos, a kill by Dolor, and an errand return by Wilbert Sapida gave IEM another set.
“At this point, nasa adjustment period pa rin kami. I also did not do any scouting for this game,” Balubar added. “It was just a game of adjustments. Ang importante ay nakakakuha tayo ng surprise sa dulo.”
The Volley Masters were able to break away in the final set and were a point away from taking the game, 24-22. However, Nur Amin Madsairi was able to convert on a down-the-line spike followed by a digging error by IEM that sent the set into a deuce. With the game tied at 25-all, Dolor and teammate Salvador Timbal stepped up to seal the game.
Navy was led by Kurl Rosete’s 15 markers, 13 from spikers and a point each from a block and an ace. Madsairi added seven with the majority of his output coming from the third set.
The Volley Masters (1-0) will have the Sta. Elena Wrecking Balls next on their slate on Wednesday, June 8. On the other hand, the Sailors (0-1) are set to face the Cignal HD Spikers on Wednesday, June 1.
The Scores:
IEM (3) – Dolor 18, Jimenez 7, Pirante 6, Dela Calzada 5, Conde 4, Canlas E. 3, Canlas J. 3, Timbal 1, Lozada 1, Refugia 1, Gatdula 1, Ramos (L), Melgar (L).
PNV (0) – Rosete 15, Madsairi 7, Cacayuran 4, Premaylon 4, Zamora 3, Palisoc 3, Sapida 2, Macalma 1, Jamiri 1, Almario (L), Chua (L).
Setscores: 25-22, 25-22, 27-25.
