The Perpetual Altas completed their sweep of Pool C after drubbing PLDT, 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-17, in the 2019 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena, Thursday.
With the victory, Perpetual have clinched the top seed in their group. They now wait for the rest of tournament to unfold.
“Actually, ang lagi kong sinasabi is this is a part of our exposure. Hindi ko akalain na ganito maglaro yung team ko. PLDT is a very strong team, they’re a club team… Maybe yung luck nasa amin lang,” said Perpetual head coach Sammy Acaylar.
Despite dropping the first frame against the more experienced Power Hitters, the Altas shrugged it off. They immediately returned to their old, deadly ways to fend off PLDT.
Joebert Almodiel led the comeback with 18 points built on 14 hits and four aces. He also picked up 14 excellent receptions. Meanwhile, rookie Hero Austria also converted 14 hits for 16 markers.
Twin towers Ronniel Rosales and Louie Ramirez scored 15 and 12 points, respectively, while EJ Casana churned the offense with 26 excellent sets.
Richard Solis led PLDT with 16 points founded on 12 attacks, three blocks, and an ace while Pao Pablico had 15 markers. John Vic De Guzman, who has the flu, only registered a point in two sets of play.
Also picking up victories were the Cignal HD Spikers and the PGJC-Phillipine Navy Sea Lions.
Alfred Valbuena towed the HD Spikers at the top of Group A with a straight-set victory over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 25-22, 25-21, 25-18, in the nightcap.
Valbuena led Cignal’s balanced offensive attack, pummeling down 10 hits for 11 points to help the HD Spikers sustain their rousing 3-0 start to their Open Conference campaign.
“Lahat nag-contribute. Kahit sinong gamitin, kahit sinong ipasok, lahat sila nag-contribute. Yun ang maganda dito sa Cignal, na kahit sinong gamitin, kahit sinong palaruin, magco-contribute at magco-contribute,” said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor.
As a testament to Cignal’s wide array of offensive weapons, a total of 10 of the 13 players fielded in the game registered a point for the HD Spikers.
Edmar Bonono chipped in 10 points, while AJ Pareja bounced back from a rough debut and tallied four blocks for nine markers.
Team captain Ysay Marasigan and Wendel Miguel tallied eight points each. The latter also had 12 excellent receptions.
On the other hand, Joshua Mina scored 12 points for the Generals, who lost their third game in four outings.
Earlier in the day, the Sea Lions notched their second consecutive victory with a three-set rout of the University of Sto. Tomas Tiger Spikers, 25-20, 25-21, 25-18.
“At least kahit nakadalawa na kami, mayroon pang [apat] kasi, kaya masasabi ko kagaya nung una, long way to go pa din. Hindi pa rin kami kampante sa dalawang panalo para may assurance na makapasok kami sa top two ng [group] namin,” said Navy head coach Bernard Manarpaac on his team’s rousing start.
Greg Dolor spearheaded the Sea Lions with 10 points on seven attacks, two aces, and an ace. Meanwhile, Kurl Rosete chipped in nine markers to help Navy forge a tie with Sta. Elena atop Group D with identical 2-0 standings.
The towering trio of Joeven Dela Vega, Bonjomar Castel, and JD Diwa all finished with seven points apiece.
Lorenz Señoron was the only double-digit scorer for the Tiger Spikers with 10 points. Genesis Redido added eight markers for UST, who dropped to 2-2.
