The Philippine Navy Sailors successfully debuted their revamped 2015 lineup after handling the Coast Guard Lady Dolphins in straight sets 26-24, 25-14, 25-18 at the San Juan Arena.
Navy overpowered Coast Guard offensively, burying the Lady Dolphins in 40-27 attacks. Though Coast Guard team captain, Rossan Fajardo managed a game-high 18 markers, the former Lady Blazer did not get much support from her teammates as the next best scorer from Coast Guard, Decie Ann Montero, garnered only six.
The first set was close all throughout with Fajardo carrying the Coast Guard offense to a late 21-20 lead. From there, a run capitalized by a Norie Diaz attack put Navy ahead, 23-21. Coast Guard managed to pull the back within striking distance of the set after forcing a deuce, but a Lady Dolphin error followed by a Liltet Mabbayad attack closed the set in favor of Navy.
The following sets turned out to be a wash as Navy flexed their offensive muscles. Coast Guard did not hold the lead in the second set while only holding a short lived, four-point lead in the third frame. Coast Guard could not generate points as their reception went array, forcing them to give up free balls. Navy went ahead, 12-11, and never looked back.
Navy Coach, PO3 Edgardo Rusit PN, is optimistic about his team’s chances in the league, though he will be going up against a stacked top-four teams. “Kahit malakas ‘yung ibang team, dadaanin na lang namin sa ensayo at tiyaga. The promise for the team is, kung maganda ‘yung performance nila this season, lahat sila diretso na agad sa Navy,” said Coach Rusit.
The Scores
Navy (3) – Acuña 12, Genido 10, Mabbayad 9, Martinez 8, Diaz 7, Labiano 4, Ticar 3, Dela Cruz 0, Caraan 0, Desegana-O 0, Fortuno (L)
Coast Guard (0) – Fajardo 18, Montero 6, Yumul 5, Macabuhay 4, Rosale 3, Espelita 2, Serrato 0, Valencia 0, Acepcion (L), Bengua (L)
