Kennry Malinis and the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas scored a huge win on Tuesday in Group C of the 2019 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, pouncing on the short-handed Hachiran-Far Eastern University Tamaraws in four sets, 26-24, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23.
FEU missed the services of key players Jude Garcia and Owen Suarez, who are still on their South Korea trip with the Cignal HD Spikers
“Malaking exposure ‘to sa team namin in preparation for the NCAA kasi we’re the defending champions, so napakalaki ng FEU. ‘Di yan basta-basta na team,” said Perpetual head coach Sammy Acaylar. “First runner-up yan sa UAAP. Alam mo naman ang UAAP, mga malalakas na team. Happy ako kasi it’s a great exposure sa team namin.”
Facing a UAAP powerhouse, Altas rookies Malinis and Hero Austria stepped up for their team. The former unleashed 17 hits and two blocks for 19 points; meanwhile, the latter finished with 13 markers to go along with 12 excellent receptions.
Ronniel Rosales and Louie Ramirez finished with 11 points each. EJ Casana churned the offense with 27 excellent sets to lead Perpetual to a 2-0 slate, while also handing the Tamaraws a harsh debut.
Team captain JP Bugaoan led FEU with 16 points. Mark Calado and Peter Quiel added 14 points apiece.
Suarez is expected to play in FEU’s next game against Army on September 8. On the other hand, Garcia will finish his UAAP Men’s Beach Volleyball stint first before suiting up for the Tamaraws this conference.
The University of Santo Tomas Tomas Tiger Spikers and debuting Easytrip also secured their first victories in the conference.
Coming from a disheartening loss last Sunday to Arellano, the Tiger Spikers made sure to bounce back, handing the Mapua University Cardinals a four-set beating, 25-22, 22-25, 25-14, 25-23, in the final match of the day.
“They’re getting used to the court already. Nagje-jell na. We joined this tournament for the rookies eh,” said UST head coach Odjie Mamon.
UST rookie Lorenz Señoron made the most out of the match-up, finishing with 19 points coming off 14 hits, four aces, and a block. Genesis Redido contributed 14 markers.
España’s twin towers Rainier Flor and Charlee Magpayo teamed up to roof the Cardinals’ attackers. The duo combined for a total of six blocks, which resulted in 18 points.
Lorence Cruz had 23 excellent sets ,while Lester Sawal tallied 17 excellent receptions and 10 digs.
Mapua, on the other hand, was led by John San Andres with 13 points on 10 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Alfredo Pagulong added 10 markers for the Cardinals, who fell to 0-2 in the tournament.
After a lackluster campaign in the Reinforced Conference, Easytrip opened their Open Conference with a sweet victory. They swept the Centro Escolar University Scorpions, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18, earlier in the day in Group B.
Easytrip only won one game during the first conference, outlasting Philippine Navy in a five-set affair. The then-Raimol-backed squad posted a disappointing 1-10 win-loss slate.
“Based from last conference, ang ano lang namin, goal lang namin [is] to level up from what we ended last conference,” said Easytrip head coach Jose Roque. “Little adjustments, kung ano lang kulang namin dito, pupunan namin at the same time. Wala naman kaming expectation. Basta every day we do our best lang.”
Red Christensen spearheaded the victory with 13 points –eight coming from hits – while also tallying three aces and two blocks. Herman Eugenio chipped in eight markers for Easytrip, while Milo Parcon added six.
Mardy Galang kick-started the offense with 21 excellent sets. Jackim Marajokie was a force on the defensive end, tallying 15 excellent digs and 11 receptions.
Meanwhile, Nino Nazareno scored seven markers for the Scorpions, while Miguel Gonzales and Carlo Villahermosa added five points each.
