Despite not having National Team member Bryan Bagunas, the Megabuilders Volley Bolts did not let up, making quick work of the Sta. Elena Wrecking Balls, 25-20, 25-20, 25-20, Saturday morning at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The win moves Megabuilders to a 6-0 record while the Sta. Elena dropped to 2-3, tied for fourth with the IEM Phoenix Volley Masters. And the Volley Bolts’ staff were more than surprised with the feat they have achieved, noting that their main objective entering the Open Conference was to build chemistry.
“Actually, ang main objective namin dito is to gain experience and make it to the top four. Eventually, gumanda yung laro nung mga bata at nag-jell sila. Ngayon, tumaas yung goal namin,” disclosed Megabuilders assistant coach Dong dela Cruz.
Fauzi Ismail powered the demolition with 16 markers while Madz Gampong, Kim Malabunga, and James Natividad did the dirty work, finishing with 11 points each. Natividad also had 10 receptions.
“Kelangan namin kasi manalo dahil gusto naming mag-number one,” furthered the former NU Lady Bulldogs mentor. “Pero nakadepende pa rin lahat sa laban ng Cignal at Air Force kaya siguro yung mga bata dire-diretso yung nilalaro. Yung confidence at focus nila nandun na.”
All throughout the contest, Megabuilders exposed Sta. Elena’s floor defense, scoring 44 of their points off attacks while their timing off the net was impecable, totaling 13 kill blocks.
Kim Dayandante glued things together for the Volley Bolts, throwing 28 excellent sets.
However, the NU-powered Megabuilders will lose three of its players when it takes on the Philippine Air Force on Saturday, July 29 at 10:00am.
“Tatlo ang mawawala sa amin sa game na ‘yun. Si Bryan nasa national team tapos si James at Fauzi maglalaro sa BVR,” said Dela Cruz, who still remains confident that the team’s second-stringers will step up. “Siyempre iba yung pangalan ng tatlo na yun but we are still confident sa mga matitira.”
Sta. Elena skipper Berlin Paglinawan finished with 13 points for the Wrecking Balls while Isaah Arda chipped in 10 markers.
Sta. Elena, on the other hand, looks to bounce back on Wednesday, July 26 against the winless Gamboa Coffee Spikers.
The Scores:
Megabuilders (3) – Ismail 16, Natividad 11, Gampong 11, Malabunga 11, Saura 6, Dayandante 4, Marcos (L), Sumagui (L).
Sta. Elena (0) – Paglinawan 13, Arda 10, Basilan 7, Pablico 4, Encina 3, Bacani 1, Camaganakan 1, Ramirez 0, Orian 0, Almario (L), Dy (L).
