Madz Gampong willed Army-Katinko to its first win in the 2022 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference to stay alive in the semifinals hunt.
The National University product unloaded 22 points in an all-around fashion. He had 13 attacks, seven kill blocks, and two service aces to go with 12 digs as well against Santa Rosa City.
The Troopers rose to 1-4 to force a three-way logjam for fifth with Ateneo-Fudgee Barr and the Lions, all chasing the last ride to the playoffs. VNS-One Alicia is fourth at 2-2.
“Medyo nagadjust kasi ako noong una dahil hindi pa ako nakapagtraining nakapaglaro na agad ako,” said Gampong, who joined Army-Katinko in its third game.
“Ngayon, nakapag-adjust na ako. Gusto ko silang tulungan kasi alam ko gusto rin nilang manalo saka gusto ko rin mag Army kaya napunta rin ako dito.”
However, during his Player of the Game interview on One Sports broadcast, he bared that this would be his last outing for the Troopers.
This, as Gampong will be heading home to Tawi-Tawi on Sunday.
“Unang una gusto kong manalo dahil last ko na maglaro ito dahil uuwi na ako. Tatlong game lang po ako dito sa Army,” he shared during the post-game interview.
But quick was the u-turn of Gampong, with a semis spot still on the line.
Army-Katinko head coach Melvin Carolino also said that having Gampong is a huge boost to the team, who started 0-4, buried deep in the seven-team field and was the last to take a win.
“Diba uuwi ako? Kumbaga pag-isipan ko pa kasi pwede naman irebook yun kasi may game pa,” Gampong said, referring to the Troopers’ match against the Griffins, which could be a crucial one if the latter drop their game against PGJC-Navy on Saturday.
“Gusto ko rin silang makapasok ng Top Four eh alam ko kailangan din ni coach ako dahil kulang sila sa wing.”
